The COVID-19 pandemic has forced married and unmarried couples alike to reexamine their relationships, spurring an increase in divorces and a drastic falloff in weddings. Unmarried couples seem to be questioning the wisdom or desirability of tying the knot. Marriage rates in the United States, which had been on the decline since the 1980s, plunged more steeply when the pandemic…
Everyone knows at least one divorce horror story. It may involve a spouse who hid or stole marital assets or who quit a job to avoid paying alimony. Too often, divorcing couples seem to write off the love and respect they once held for each other and behave as if they are complete strangers or sworn enemies. Parents turn on…
The end of a marriage is an emotionally raw time. For many people it can feel like darkness is setting in and painful thoughts tend to dominate every waking moment. It is common to feel fear, anger, uncertainty or a sense of loss. Getting through the emotional pain of divorce may not be easy, but there are ways of coping.…
Divorce can be difficult even under normal circumstances, but for abuse victims the process can be even more trying, since special protective measures must be taken. A recent study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found that domestic violence was the seventh most common reason for divorce in the United States. Nearly one fourth of the study’s participants…
If you are a mother with children at home and your marriage is coming to an end, your mind is probably full of uncertainties. Will you get custody of the kids? Where will you live? Will you receive child support or be required to pay any? The answers to your questions will vary depending on your family’s unique situation and…
As part of your divorce, you may choose to keep your married name, or you may choose to go back to a maiden name. Here are a few issues to consider as you make your decision. Making a clean break: It can be nice to make a clean break from the relationship. Shedding the name of your ex can be…
Among the most valuable assets to be divided during a divorce are retirement accounts, such as pensions, 401(k)s and IRAs. However, the process of transferring the money from one spouse to the other does not happen automatically when the divorce is granted. Most retirement plan providers will not release funds without a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO). Unfortunately, a substantial…
At some point after your divorce you may find yourself ready to begin dating once again. But when you have kids, this prospect can be a bit dicey. What do you tell your children about your relationship, and more importantly, when and how do you finally make the introduction? Here are some tips for you to keep in mind. Make…
Divorced parents must still stay on the same wavelength with regard to how they will discipline their children. There must be some consistency across households, otherwise it can make matters more emotionally difficult for children who are already likely to have a difficult time adjusting. Here are some tips for maintaining good discipline in your children after your divorce. Keep…
As you go through the process of searching for a divorce attorney, you should spend some time actually talking to and interviewing potential attorneys after you’ve performed some general background research. Here are a few questions you can ask potential attorneys to determine if they’ll be a good fit. Experience and specialties: Ask the attorney if they specialize in divorce…