The divorce process does not have to flow entirely through the courtroom. You may be able to settle most or even all of the issues of your divorce through mediation. However, mediation is not necessarily for everyone. Here are some things to consider before deciding to proceed with mediation for your divorce. You both need to be committed: Mediation only…
Losing a job can be an extremely stressful, emotionally trying experience, especially if you have custody or your children or pay child support. If you are responsible for paying child support and have recently become unemployed, you may be wondering how you will meet your support responsibility. Here’s an overview of what you should know. Job loss when paying child…
Most courts throughout the country have issued guidelines to parents with shared custody arrangements that they are expected to follow existing arrangements for custody and visitation to the fullest extent possible. Of course, being in a pandemic scenario poses a whole host of other challenges. If one parent isn’t taking the pandemic seriously and following public health guidelines, they put…
Co-parenting can be challenging under any circumstances. When you have shared custody during a global pandemic, the level of that challenge only increases. Here are a few examples of some issues that may arise within your family regarding shared parenting during the pandemic and some of the steps you can take to confront or overcome those issues. Essential workers: Parents…
While the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in some significant changes to the way we live our lives, parents who have shared custody agreements should know that custody and visitation guidelines remain in place during the pandemic, as both parents have the same right to maintaining a relationship with their children. This means when it comes time to make the custody…
The term “equitable distribution” refers to a system of property division in which the court divides marital property in a fair, equitable manner—not necessarily one that is equal. Some of the considerations the court will take into account include: The length of the marriage The age and health of each spouse The amount of money each spouse earns The income…
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law in December 2017, changed the way alimony payments are taxed for some people. The way tax rules apply to your alimony depends on when you were divorced. Here’s a quick overview of what you should know. Changes to the system The legislation eliminated alimony tax deductions from the tax code from…
Divorce is an inherently difficult process just due to the emotions involved. However, it because even more difficult and complex if you have a spouse who refuses to cooperate. Matters will become difficult from the outset of the divorce if your spouse refuses to even sign the paperwork. What steps can you take in such a scenario? Here’s an overview…
If a court awards alimony to you or your spouse in your divorce, there are several types of alimony awards the court may choose. It is important to know the terms of your alimony arrangement so you can plan accordingly. Here are some examples of these types of alimony. Bridge the gap alimony: This is a type of alimony that…
The Uniform Parentage Act was adopted into law by all 50 states in 1973. The Act introduced unified guidelines for establishing paternity for children of both married and unmarried couples, developing an easy way for courts to identify the legal parents of a child. Establishing legal parenthood is important for many court processes, including implementing child support arrangements. Here’s a…