Like many divorced parents, you may be struggling to respond to inflammatory messages from your former spouse. Last week, I covered several ways to filter out irrelevant communications and focus instead on child-related concerns. We can’t control what others say, but we can control how we respond. That’s easier said than done, however. Getting a…
DetailsDo you have a co-parent who regularly rants? Angry texts and tearful telephone calls are upsetting, and it’s easy to feel trapped in exhausting old patterns with your former spouse. Fighting is intimate, says psychotherapist and divorce expert Kate Scharff, and that’s important to keep in mind. As she points out in her article End…
DetailsAfter parents’ divorce, coordinating shared custody can be a recurring source of conflict. Online co-parenting tools help prevent stressful mix-ups and misunderstandings — and help parents avoid using their children as messengers. Here are three co-parenting sites to consider. 2houses The 2houses website and app features a calendar of the custody schedule, appointments, and events.…
DetailsDivorced individuals filing for Social Security benefits are often unaware that they may qualify for benefits based on marriage to an ex-spouse, even after divorce. Because the strict guidelines and rules for eligibility may be overlooked by divorce attorneys, divorced individuals need to understand what benefits they are eligible for when they file for Social…
DetailsIn the process of your divorce proceedings, you may be required to participate in a deposition. It’s part of what the law calls “discovery,” which allows attorneys the opportunity to ask you questions. If your spouse’s attorney schedules a deposition, it will be a very important part of your case. Most people have never had…
DetailsWe are often asked whether it is illegal in Missouri to access your spouse’s email account. Like our previous discussion of the potential consequences of tracking your spouse’s actions via spy software, there is a lot of legal gray area surrounding this action; getting into your spouse’s e-mail could both negatively affect the outcome of…
DetailsIn her article “9 Questions to Keep Your Divorce Lawyer Honest,” attorney, mediator and author Diane Mercer advocates asking specific and tough questions of your divorce attorney. Her advice is helpful to anyone going through divorce. However, these are wonderful questions to ask before you hire an attorney. Choosing an attorney is one of the most…
DetailsOver a decade ago, the United States Supreme Court decided Troxel v. Granville, a case that shaped how courts handle grandparents’ visitation rights. Ultimately, the Supreme Court decided that fit parents are presumed to act in their children’s best interests and that no state should interfere to second-guess the decisions of the parents in denying grandparents’…
DetailsThe search for a family law attorney can be overwhelming. Emotions are rampant, stress is tremendous, and the stakes feel incredibly high. However, there are several things to keep in mind when looking for the right attorney to make the process more manageable. Do seek a referral from someone you trust. Pursuing legal counsel is…
DetailsOften, a situation arises in which neither of the child’s biological parents is able to care for him or her. It then becomes necessary for a non-parent to take legal steps to be appointed guardian or custodian of the child. The terms “guardianship” and “third-party custody” are often used interchangeably. However, although the concepts are…
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