Author Archives: Jay Butchko
When Would a Court Give Custody to a Non-Parent?
Raising a child without some help and contributions from family and friends is virtually impossible. Childrearing is a full-time, constant endeavor that requires help from the outside for a parent to fulfill his/her responsibilities. However, when it comes to who has final authority over a child, one or both parents are overwhelmingly the only… Read More »
New App Aims to Help Parents Post-Divorce
Navigating how to co-parent during and after divorce is one of the biggest stresses single parents have. There is a lot of information that parents need to stay in compliance with the parenting plan, and as a preventative measure in case a dispute arises about parenting time or financial contributions. The current structure of… Read More »
Evaluating the Different Options to Get Divorced
Obtaining a divorce requires a couple to make a series of important decisions that will have long-term impacts on their future, including selecting which process to use to end the marriage. It may seem like the path chosen to arrive at divorce is an incidental factor, but it can have substantial implications for the… Read More »
Is Posting Information about Your Divorce on Social Media a Good Idea?
Many people view their online social media accounts as an extension of themselves, and sometimes without thinking, post information about personal matters that is best left private. Posting about major life events online, and providing all the details, is not necessarily prudent. Divorce is one those areas where information should be kept to a… Read More »
Who Pays for the Divorce?
In addition to the emotional challenges of divorce, there is the very concerning issue of how to handle the financial fallout of this decision. Finances play a huge role in people’s lives, and can force couples to stay together for fear of financial collapse. Once the wheels are put in motion to form separate… Read More »
Who Gets to Stay in Marital Home during a Divorce?
Spouses often have emotional attachments to their marital home, due to the hard work that was needed to purchase it and its likely status as the most valuable asset they possess. The marital home takes on a new and greater significance if a divorce occurs as the parties try to decide present and future… Read More »
Figuring Out Where to File for Divorce
Many people think the hardest part of getting divorced is making the decision to end the relationship, but this step is just the first in a complicated and technical process to legally sever ties with a spouse. To initiate a divorce, a petition must be filed with a court that has jurisdiction, or authority,… Read More »
Paternity Claims Can Extend Beyond Death
Knowing who one’s parents are is a fact taken for granted by most children, but there is a distinct difference between being told a particular person is one’s mother or father, and whether the law recognizes this person as a parent. Any woman that gives birth to a child, not including surrogates, is automatically… Read More »
Drawn Out Divorce Case Illustrates Importance of Prenuptial Agreements
When a couple is in the throes of celebrating an engagement and planning a wedding, thoughts about the possibility of divorce are the farthest thing from their minds. Consequently, many couples skip the talk about the benefits of a prenuptial agreement, and assume that everything will work out. Sidestepping this issue when young is… Read More »
Getting Divorced When a Spouse Is Nowhere to Be Found
Divorce is usually precipitated by an uncomfortable conversation during which at least one spouse must work up the nerve to say he/she wants out of the marriage. If given the choice, it is likely many would skip this step if at all possible, but they do have the comfort of knowing where their spouse… Read More »
