Caller: “So, I haven’t seen my daughter in 3 years. Her mother has given her to her sister in Arizona and they will not let me talk to her or let me see her. I have no communication with her and I’ve never lost my parental rights. Her mother is …
Divorce When You Can’t Find Your Spouse
Everyone knows how complicated divorce can get. You probably think of endless paperwork, multiple court appearances, and a laundry list of other hoops to jump through. But what if you can’t find your spouse? How does that muddy the waters? What options do you have? The good news is, you …
We never married, what happens to the house?
For most people, a house is the biggest purchase we ever make. And it’s so much more than just a possession. It’s a home, it’s where we build a life, where our kids grow up. Because it’s so valuable, it’s also often a key asset in divorce. But what about …
Why You Need A Parenting Plan
After a divorce or break up, you may think you and your ex are on good terms. Not every split ends in fits of screaming and rage. Still, things often shift at a moment’s notice. That’s fine if it’s just the two of you, but when you have children, that …
I was given an engagement ring, can they take it back?
The old saying goes, possession is nine-tenths of the law. That’s not exactly a legally binding statue, but the underlying idea often plays a role. One situation we see frequently involves engagement rings. One of our founding partners, Rick Jones, makes regular appearances on the Danny Bonaduce and Sarah Morning …
Can I Move Out All His Stuff & Change The Locks?
If you’re having marital problems, you’ve probably had at least one moment where you want to throw your spouse’s possessions on the front lawn, change the locks, and never look back. Few times are as trying and frustrating as divorce. But when you have this impulse, can you? Legally speaking? …
I Work, She Doesn’t: Do I Have to Pay Her Legal Fees?
Legal fees are a huge part of divorce. Especially in contentious cases, paying for an attorney is one of the biggest expenses in the process. But what if you have to pay your ex’s attorney fees, too? It happens more often than you think. One of our founding partners, Rick …
5 Scary Divorce Facts You Should Know
Halloween is upon us, or just past, depending on when you read this. Regardless, the leaves have turned, the days have grown short, and it’s the spookiest time of the year. Divorce is often a harrowing, uncertain period of your life. It may be the best choice, but that doesn’t …
10 Great Halloween Horror Movies For The Family
It’s the spookiest time of the year. The leaves have changed, the nights grow longer, and Halloween lurks right around the corner. There’s always been something about this season that leads people to marathon horror movies. Maybe it’s the general darkness, that the weather’s bad so staying inside makes more …
If A Father Isn’t On The Birth Certificate…
Fathers have certain parental rights. But only if paternity has been established, which isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Especially if the parents were never married. You don’t have legal rights as an unmarried father without a DNA test or a Paternity Affidavit. Unless proven otherwise, the state presumes …
Prenups Part 3: A Chess Game
Most people think of prenuptial agreements as something only the super wealthy need to worry about. That, however, isn’t always true. Normal, average, everyday folks often use them or at the very least can benefit from their application. But what happens when you sign a prenup only for your spouse …
Is There a Statute of Limitations on Child Support?
When a divorce involves minor children, it usually includes child support. These payments from one spouse to the other cover the costs of food, shelter, medical care, and other regular necessities for your kids. While the cost can be taxing for the paying parent, they’re hugely important for sustaining your …
Prenup Part 2: How do Prenups & Postnups Work?
Most people think of prenuptial agreements as something only the super wealthy need to worry about. That’s not necessarily true. They often have benefits for the rest of us as well. That said, prenups do often come into play when the rich and famous marry. Case in point: Justin Bieber …
The Awkward Conversation of a Prenup
Creating a prenuptial agreement is often a useful, prudent move before marriage. But there’s a stigma attached to these documents. Many people view them as a sign that spouses don’t trust each other or they think a union is doomed to fail. Even though this isn’t necessarily the case, bringing …
Can My Ex Come After My New Spouse’s Income?
Child support tends to get tricky. There’s a formula involved, but it accounts for many factors. Of course, the income of both parents, as well as level of need, figure prominently into the final amount. Like most court orders, once in place, child support is difficult to modify, though it …