Decisions over parenting and the residential schedule of children are made by a judge upon the totality of the circumstances. The duty of the judge is to decide what is the best interest by considering everything in a child’s life, including their lives up to the trial, the relative strengths and weaknesses of the parents, the needs of the children, everything which might be relevant and have an … [Read more...]
What is Collaborative Divorce?
The collaborative divorce approach involves, at a minimum, two attorneys and two clients working together to reach an agreement outside of court. There is a commitment by all involved to address the issues directly, without court intervention or the threat of litigation. The issues are resolved in series of confidential meetings with a full exchange of relevant information. The process relies on … [Read more...]
What Is the Difference Between Legal Separation and a Divorce?
There are four reasons people remain legally separated and hold off on getting divorced: Taxes - As long as you are married, even if you’re separated, your tax filing status can be married filing jointly or married filing separately. You cannot file as an individual if you are married. Division of pensions and retirement accounts - Division of pensions and retirement accounts like a 401(k) or … [Read more...]
How Should I Prepare to Meet with My New Lawyer?
The most important thing to bring to your initial consultation with your attorney are your questions. Take some time to sit down and think about what is important to you, your goals and objectives. Think about not only the short term, but where you want to be in three, five, ten or 15 years down the road. That’ll help clarify where your goals lie and prepare you to inform the attorney of your … [Read more...]