Deciding how to divide assets and debts can be one of the touchiest parts of getting divorced. An important factor to consider is what BlissDivorce calls the Date of Divorce Intent. The Date of Divorce Intent is the date you or your spouse told the other you wanted to get divorced, and started acting in a way consistent with this. In other words, your actions have to show that you were serious about what you said. For example, your [...]
There are many factors to consider when thinking about divorce. If you and your spouse are already thinking about living apart, but are considering legal separation as a next step, this article is for you. Here are some things to be aware of when making the decision. What Is “Legal Separation”? A couple can consider themselves separated as soon as they are sleeping in separate rooms. Legal separation, however, is different. In a legal separation, the two spouses remain [...]
Every child has the right to financial support from their parents until they reach the age of majority, which is between eighteen and twenty-one, depending on the state. In almost every case, the parent who has the children less than fifty percent of the time will pay child support to the other parent. There are exceptions. Some parents split child-rearing time 50-50 and make almost the same amount of money. Other times, the parent who spends the majority of [...]
Q: What is "custody?" A: The term "custody" refers to a parent's legal right or obligation to house and care for their children, and to make decisions concerning their upbringing, schooling, religion, medical care, and other matters. Q: What types of custody arrangements are available to us? A: The best custody determination occurs when both parents agree on custody matters without going to court. In these situations, their lawyers or mediator can draw up whatever agreement works for a [...]
No one wants to live with their ex, but deciding when, how, and whom to move out of the family home can be stressful and perplexing. Here are the key issues to consider. Can you afford to remain in the family home? If you or your spouse moved out, where would you go? Most likely, one of you will wind up renting an apartment or buying another home. Based on how much money you and your spouse have and how [...]
Too often, custody and visitation schedules can become a contentious issue between divorcing parents. Any compromise can feel like giving up your children or your role as a parent. Let these five questions be your guide in making a sensible, practical, and beneficial parenting arrangement for all involved. 1. What was the parenting arrangement before the divorce? Think carefully about how much time each parent spent with the children before the word “divorce” entered the conversation. Take, for example, [...]
We all care very deeply for our children, and as such, parenting decisions -- and deciding who has the power to make them -- are some of the most challenging issues to reach agreement on. The best advice is to simplify, prioritize, and delegate. Simplify. There would seem to be thousands of things to decide, but remember that these break down into just a few categories: residence, health, finances, education, and religion. These five simple categories cover most of the decisions. [...]
A painful reality of sharing custody of your children is that you will have to compromise on where they spend the most important days on your calendar. Here are some guidelines for reaching an agreement. Divide the Days. You may find that you and your spouse have different priorities when it comes to holidays. It may also be that you and your spouse have holidays that one of you celebrates and the other does not. Trade days that are important [...]
It is daunting to explain the concept of divorce to a child who may not yet fully understand the idea of marriage, let alone divorce. Here are a few things you can do to make learning about divorce --and going through this transition-- easier on your child. Present a united front. It may be tempting to beat your spouse to the punch and tell your side of the story first, but this can make things harder for a child. While [...]
For children, the family structure is their world. Without our guidance and support, a child may feel like that world is coming to an end. Here are some tips for helping your child during this difficult time. Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Pixel-Shot Listen to them. Each child's concerns and feelings are unique. Talk to your child and help them to express their feelings and concerns. Give them opportunities for expression that go beyond just talking. Books about divorce written [...]