Kelly Gunn (left) and Circe Hamilton PHOTO: New York Post, Julia Marsh, September 2, 2016 A recent ruling from the New York State Court of Appeals has determined that an unmarried partner that is the non-biological, non-adoptive partner in a same sex marriage can be entitled to parenting rights over a child raised in the relationship under certain circumstances. This…
If you have hit a rocky point in your relationship, you might consider going through couple’s therapy. However, it’s not always easy to convince your partner to attend these sessions with you. If this is the case, you might still find that attending couple’s therapy sessions by yourself can still be beneficial to you and your relationship. The following are…
The general, overarching standard in all states for child custody is to come to a resolution that is in the “best interest of the child.” But this standard might seem rather subjective. Exactly what is meant by “best interest?” The following are a few factors that go into these decisions: The child’s age: There are many judges who believe younger…
Once the dust has cleared on your divorce, it’s time to start looking toward the future. One of the first issues you should address is how you will ensure your long-term financial health. The following are a few steps to help you achieve a financial recovery after your divorce: Start right away. Do not, under any circumstances, put off building…
In some cases, a divorce can get rather contentious. If you have reason to believe your soon-to-be-former spouse will react with anger, or if you have already experienced this response, it is important to know how to deal with these issues appropriately. Here are a few examples of what you might expect from an angry spouse and how you should…
Although many people who go through a divorce would very much like to never have to see or talk to their former partner ever again, this is unfortunately not a realistic scenario for most couples. If, for example, you have children together, you need to keep in touch regularly if you have any hope of consistent parenting. Here are some…
After a divorce, it can take some time to adjust to your new financial situation. There is less money coming in, but still plenty of expenses to monitor. To that end, it’s important to sit down and closely analyze how a divorce will affect you financially before it is actually made official. Here are some financial planning considerations to keep…
There are many financial strains individuals will have to overcome as they go through a divorce. This is especially true for parents who are helping pay for their kids’ college education through the use of financial aid. The following are a few tips to keep in mind as you navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, which can…
The time period after a divorce can be very stressful. Although you are likely going to be focused on all the logistics of starting off on a new path by yourself and helping your children cope with the major change in their lives, it’s important to take some time for yourself so you can heal emotionally. The following are a…
It may be tempting to rush into a separation when you feel your marriage is not going well. However, there are a few steps you should take before the separation to ensure you protect your own interests. Here are a few of those steps: Get your papers in order. Examples of key documents include tax returns, mortgages, titles, wills, estate…