What is a successful divorce? In my opinion, it has nothing to do with accumulated assets, properties, alimony, or support payments. It has everything to do with an ability to carry forward the best parts of the person you married while being able to walk away from the parts that don’t work for you. WhenContinue reading "How All the Pieces Fit"
Being the Best You In a Divorce
I met a policeman last week. He has been divorced 8 years and his youngest child just turned 18 after graduating high school. His child support orders are through, over! He spent a little time discussing the divorce process with me. He and his wife each had their own lawyers, and they each spent quiteContinue reading "Being the Best You In a Divorce"
Successful Divorces
I have written before what a successful divorce is not. It is not accumulated assets, properties, alimony, or support payments. I am always trying to pinpoint what does define a successful divorce, so I can help my clients keep that as the goal in their minds. It begins with taking an inventory of the bestContinue reading "Successful Divorces"
What is Discovery and when is it necessary?
Most of my divorce practice is uncontested and amicable. I help two consenting adults conduct the equivalent of a business transaction, so that both can move on with their lives and keep as much of their assets and dignity intact as possible. In many of these cases the couple knows their own and each other’sContinue reading "What is Discovery and when is it necessary?"
Stay Positive and Determine Your Own Happiness
I recently spent the day with a friend I have known for decades. She lives a few states away and I was unable to help in her divorce, other than to cheer her on from the sidelines. The husband was ruthless and my dear friend is still reeling, and doing her best to keep aContinue reading "Stay Positive and Determine Your Own Happiness"
When Lawyers Can’t Agree..
One of my favorite trips to court is on a busy family docket day. One reason is that it is fun, is I get to run into so many lawyers that I happen to know from the area, all dressed-up and looking clean and smelling nice. Most lawyers are on their best behavior in aContinue reading "When Lawyers Can’t Agree.."
What are the Differences Between Divorce, Legal Separation, and Just Being Separated?
A legal term for divorce is “Dissolution of Marriage,” meaning that once the marriage is dissolved, it ceases to exist. Once a couple divorces, they are each single and unmarried. They are then free to come and go as they wish, marry someone else, or not, and have control of their own adult lives. OnceContinue reading "What are the Differences Between Divorce, Legal Separation, and Just Being Separated?"
Day of Divorce Situations
Is it a good idea to go out with your ex-spouse during the first hour you are exes? I have two stories – one in favor and one against. See which situation is most similar to your own before you decide. Kris and John divorced with no kids, no debts, a good profit on theirContinue reading "Day of Divorce Situations"
Don’t Let Divorce Define You
Yesterday, once again, I left the courthouse beaming with pride at what my clients have accomplished. We sat in the courtroom most of the morning waiting until the judge could take our uncontested divorce action. We waited through status conferences in which people fought over what date they would exchange financial information. We sat throughContinue reading "Don’t Let Divorce Define You"
Getting to the Negotiation Table
Two lawyers stood before a judge and argued whether financial affidavits should be exchanged by the 15th or the 30th of October. They stood in a crowded courtroom and with straight faces told the judge that they were too far apart to decide which date the documents should be complete. Neither of them made aContinue reading "Getting to the Negotiation Table"