Recent Blog Posts
Dividing Military Benefits in Divorce
Time away from loved ones, and sporadic communication, are common features of military personnel serving on active duty. Times of separation are hard on any spouse, and an unfortunate side effect of this situation is the higher rates of divorce among those in the military. While military service typically pays less than one could… Read More »
Home Equity Lines, Mortgages, and Divorce
Distinguishing and separating financial obligations are one of the most difficult parts of divorce. The longer a couple is married, the harder it is to figure out when and how many items of property were acquired or which funds were used to maintain them. Family homes and real estate in general is particularly tricky… Read More »
Who Wins: The Legal or Biological Father?
Recognition as a child’s legal parent, which is typically only an issue for a potential father (mothers automatically receive full custody rights following childbirth), is much more than a formality. Legal parents are the only individuals, without a court order, authorized to make decisions on a child’s behalf related to important matters, such as… Read More »
Special Issues for Same-Sex Divorce
Many same-sex couples are in the unique situation of having long-term relationships, but short-term marriages, because they were unable to marry nationwide until 2015. The legal prohibitions imposed by many states on the marriage of same-sex couples left millions of Americans in these relationships without the rights afforded by marriage, while also freeing them… Read More »
How to Deal with a Family Court Judge
Divorce is a nerve-wracking experience and full of critical decisions that affect numerous people. In addition, the legal process is mysterious and overwhelming to the average person unfamiliar with its procedure, and the sensitive nature of divorce often serves to increase anxiety about what to expect. One aspect that is particularly concerning to many… Read More »
Enforcing a Foreign Divorce Decree
People get married at a variety of places around the world, often having no familial, personal, or professional connection to a location, but merely a desire to get married in a certain atmosphere. Divorces are issued all over the world as well, but may only be validly issued by a court with authority or… Read More »
New Law Addresses Child Custody in Military Divorce
Trying to balance shared child custody with the responsibilities of being an active member of the military is challenging to say the least. Even when not formally deployed on an assignment, the expectations and schedules a military parent must keep can sometimes affect his/her ability to exercise parenting time. However, when deployment does occur,… Read More »
Can You Undo a Mediated Settlement Agreement?
Divorce is an emotional and draining experience that can be exacerbated by the stresses of litigation. Some couples seek to avoid the potential negative consequences of deciding their case in front a judge by engaging in mediation to reach a settlement agreement. Mediation may be entered into voluntarily or by an order of the… Read More »
How to Approach Divorce Mediation
The process of divorce rarely proceeds as a couple envisions. How a couple finds the end of the road to dissolve the marriage will depend on the circumstances of the marriage, particularly the complexity of the issues that need addressing, and the amount of conflict surrounding an acceptable solution. Resolving these disputes through mutual… Read More »
Vacationing with Children after Divorce
Vacations, i.e., time away from the distractions and demands of work, school, and other obligations, are important for family bonding in general, but especially crucial for parents trying to juggle the strictures of a time-sharing schedule into the mix. A child custody order must include a parenting plan that outlines how decision-making responsibilities will… Read More »
