Posted on May 03,2016 in Domestic Violence

When most of us think of domestic abuse, we think of one spouse physically or emotionally hurting the other. While physical harm and emotional abuse are two common aspects of domestic violence, there is another aspect that many victims report experiencing; economic abuse. Imagine being unable to help yourself because somebody has control of your finances, or has cut you off completely from financial resources. For many such victims, this is the case. In fact, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 94 to 99 percent of domestic violence victims report experiencing some form of economic abuse. Fortunately, help is available.

What Is Economic Abuse?

Economic abuse occurs when an abuser attempts to gain power or control over an individual by limiting access to assets or preventing future earning. The abuser's goal is to limit the victim’s choices by making them dependent on the abuser. This often goes hand-in-hand with physical domestic abuse. The victim is unable to leave, out of fear of harm and lack of financial resources. Economic abuse can take many different forms.

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 Posted on April 28,2016 in Mediation and Collaborative Law

With the bevy of emotions most people face during divorce, finances can easily get neglected. As your relationship is ending, money may be your last priority, but it is important that you keep tabs on your finances to avoid future difficulties. If you decide to divorce, you and your spouse have a few options from which to choose. When most people picture divorce, they think of two aggressive attorneys representing wounded spouses hoping to hurt each other in a long, drawn-out battle. While a litigated divorce may be necessary in some cases, it certainly is not the only option. Litigated divorces are often expensive and emotionally draining. Rather than fighting each other, preserve your wealth through two less aggressive options; mediation and collaborative divorce.

Mediation

Did you know that you and your spouse can choose to work with a neutral, third party divorce mediator who can help you reach the same settlement a litigated divorce would achieve? In mediation, the mediator will work with both parties to discuss any divorce related issues needing attention, and help both parties reach agreeable outcomes. If you and your spouse are capable of working together, mediation can be a faster, more efficient, and significantly less costly method of divorce. Couples can discuss every important divorce matter including:

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 Posted on April 26,2016 in Divorce

Divorce is often a challenging process, but there is one aspect of the experience many people report being the most stressful: their time spent in court. Most people have never set foot in a courtroom prior to their divorce, and while there are ways to avoid court room battles, such as mediation, many couples find court to be unavoidable. Without prior knowledge of how a courtroom procedure works, the process can be nerve-wracking. How should you behave? What should you wear? What should you expect? With a little prior planning, and an understanding of the process going in, you can help relieve your courtroom nervousness and have a successful experience. Here is what you need to know:

Plan Ahead With Your Attorney

No one should be expected to go to a day in court without preparation beforehand. Any quality divorce attorney will meet with their client to review everything about their day in court, handling topics like what you will be expected to say, what issues the hearing will discuss, and how the court process will go. Rather than being caught off guard during your hearing, meet with your attorney ahead of time to prepare yourself. Strategizing in advance will help you feel ready to face your time in court, so it is recommend that you set aside time to meet with your attorney before every court session, as different areas of your divorce may be covered at different times.

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 Posted on April 21,2016 in Divorce

Divorce can be difficult, both emotionally and financially. In addition to costly legal fees, asset division, child support, and other items that can take a financial toll, people often wonder if their credit score can be affected in any way by divorce. Having a healthy credit score is a major key to financial independence post-divorce, as many possible future changes, such as renting a new apartment or purchasing a vehicle, require a good credit score. There are a few ways that divorce can positively or negatively affect your credit score. If you are about to divorce, or already in the midst of one, here are a few things to pay attention to regarding your credit score.

You Are Still Responsible for Shared Debt

Most married couples open shared accounts, such as shared credit cards or a joint mortgage. When you divorce, the name listed on an account is responsible for that debt, regardless of the parties' marital status. Lenders expect payment, so it is important to pay attention to joint accounts when dissolving your marriage. If your soon-to-be ex decides to stop making payments, you are still responsible, and your credit score could be damaged. For those fortunate enough to divorce amicably, payment arrangements can be made for the benefit of both parties. Others divorcing with more conflict may find it difficult to divide debt, and should consider other options to avoid risking their credit scores. A wealth planning manager with Wells Fargo recommends that divorcing couples either:

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 Posted on April 19,2016 in Family Law

Child custody and parenting time are issues that often lead to conflict in divorce cases. These difficult-to-resolve issues can lead to lengthy litigation and increased hostility between the parties. Finding a resolution that is in the best interest of the children involved is the top priority, but this can be challenging, as often times one or both parents are not entirely forthcoming about their home life. In such cases, the thoughts and opinions of the children involved may be needed. The family’s children can share any details, good or bad, that can help the judge determine the best possible outcome for them. Putting a child on a stand in a courtroom, however, or in an interview with a judge, can be risky, as divorce alone is challenging for children. No child should ever be made to choose one parent over the other or feel intimidated. Fortunately, working with a Guardian ad Litem, a trained specialist who provides insight to the court, is a much less intimidating option to ensure the child’s best interests are being met.

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 Posted on April 14,2016 in Divorce

Everyone deserves to be happy, no matter your age. If you are 50 or over and considering divorce, you are not alone. In fact, divorce among couples older than 50 is so common in America today, it has earned it’s own name: “gray divorce.” According to a study conducted by Bowling Green University, the rate of gray divorces doubled between 1990 and 2010. Why? Some couples choose to wait to separate until their children are out of the house. Others may be in their second or third marriage, a group that has an even higher likelihood for divorce. The baby boomer generation is also healthier, more active, and expected to live longer than previous generations, so perhaps today’s older couples at 50 or 60 years old feel they still have a long life to live, and are unwilling to be unhappy in their marriage. Whatever the reason, a divorce attorney can help you navigate the divorce process, and help you deal with a few common challenges couple’s going through a gray divorce often face. Here are three potential struggles you may face divorcing at an older age.

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 Posted on April 12,2016 in Divorce

Once you and your spouse have made the decision to divorce, the next step is telling your children. This is not always easy. While all children react differently to the news that their parents are splitting, most parents should expect some confusion from their children. In time, and through healthy co-parenting, your children will recover. What is the best way to break the news to your kids? How many details of your upcoming divorce do you share with them? What do you tell them when you yourself are uncertain about the future? Following these tips from divorce experts and psychologists may help.

Be Honest

Announcing your split to your children can be devastating. No parent wants to alarm their children, or leave them confused, afraid, angry, or feeling alone. As difficult as sharing the news of your divorce may be, divorce experts say it is important that your children hear the news from you directly. Do not let your children draws conclusions on their own. Instead, pick a good time to sit down with your children and break the news. Remind them that even though their parents are separating, they are still loved and supported. Also reassure them that the split has nothing to do with them, and that even though the transition time may be difficult, things will get better.

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 Posted on April 07,2016 in Child Custody

Even the most friendly of co-parents may struggle from time to time. Managing a child’s life can be difficult, especially from two different homes. As modern-day technology continues to simplify many aspects of daily life, it comes as no surprise that co-parents now have a bevy of new apps to turn to for support. Intended to be downloaded on a smartphone or tablet, these apps help co-parents be the best parents they can be, from helping them manage their children’s schedules to making child support payments. If you are a divorced co-parent, here are a few new apps that can help simplify your life.

Our Family Wizard

Our Family Wizard is one of the most popular parenting apps available. The program provides parents with numerous tools and resources to make co-parenting easier and more efficient. Parents can use the program to track parenting time schedules, share important family information, track child expenses, and make support payments. Additionally, the program provides a channel for communication between exes that can be tracked by court officials. Some courts have recently been requiring conflicted couples to download and use the app post divorce.

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 Posted on April 05,2016 in Divorce

Have you ever wondered which country in the world has the highest divorce rate? You may be quick to think it is the United States, due to nearly half of all marriages in the United States ending in divorce today. America is high on the list, coming in at the third highest divorce rate in the world, with 4 divorces per thousand citizens. That number may be high, but it is less than half the divorce rate of the country with the most divorces in the world. Surprisingly, the Maldives, a tropical paradise comprised of 1,200 tiny islands, holds the Guinness World Record for the highest divorce rate in the world, coming in at a staggering 11 divorces per thousand people. What is causing this trouble in paradise?

Strict Religion, But Quick Divorces

According to the United Nations, the average female resident of the Maldives has been divorced three times by the time she is 30 years old. That number is significant, even as the stigma surrounding divorce dissipates around the world. According to an expert with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, the startling divorce rate can be accredited to the country’s primary religion. The Maldives is a Muslim country, and premarital sex is not permitted under Sharia Law. The country’s young population, experts say, have found a way around the disapproval of their religion. Instead of premarital sex, young Maldivians get married, which can cost as little as ten dollars, and is not as significant a process as it is in much of the rest of the world. Once married, the couple is free to do as they please.

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 Posted on March 31,2016 in Divorce

Divorce is a challenging process for everyone involved. While you cope with your emotions, your children are processing their own feelings. Parents often feel guilty when it comes to divorce and their children. No, your children most likely did not ask for you and your spouse to separate, and they may struggle during the initial transition time. That does not mean divorce was the wrong decision. Instead of dwelling on guilt, focus on ways to help your children cope with the process and come out feeling loved and supported.

As a parent, you can help your children in a number of ways. You can reassure them, provide as stable a transition as possible, and work through any issues with your ex to ensure your children will continue to have both parents in their lives. All of this on top of dealing with your own emotions can be difficult. Too often, parents prioritize their children over themselves when coping with divorce. While your children do deserve extra support, you can only be your most effective self when you have taken care of you. Remember the saying on an airplane? “Secure your own oxygen mask before helping others.” You need to take care of yourself first, so you can be the best parent possible for your children during this challenging time.

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