lawyer – BlissDivorce

Community and Separate Property

By Scott Seidewitz|2023-05-30T13:34:11+00:00May 27th, 2020|Legal Issues|

Before creating your divorce agreement, you need to know, from a legal standpoint, what belongs to you, what belongs to your spouse, and what belongs to both of you. In states like California, this is where the concept of community and separate property comes in. Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Basicdog What You Need To Know About Community Property So what is "community property"? Community property is an asset or debt that both spouses have an equal right to. [...]

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FAQ: Divorce Trial

By Scott Seidewitz|2023-05-30T13:44:35+00:00May 27th, 2020|Legal Issues|

Q: How much does a trial cost? A: Divorce trials can be costly. For your lawyer to prepare for and conduct a divorce trial seldom costs less than $10,000 to $20,000. Costs can go even higher, even up to $100,000 or more if the issues are complex, and include disputes such as the value of a self-owned business or a custody dispute where each parent desires primary custody. By the time your case goes to trial, you should have a [...]

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FAQ: Alimony

By Scott Seidewitz|2023-05-30T13:47:14+00:00May 27th, 2020|Legal Issues|

Here are some frequently asked questions about alimony. Q: Is there a difference between alimony, spousal support, and maintenance? A: No. You may hear your attorney use these terms interchangeably because they are all different ways of describing the same legal concept. Although they can be used interchangeably, we will only use the term alimony for the sake of simplicity. Q: What is rehabilitative alimony? A: The most common purpose of alimony is to give one spouse, who [...]

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Should I move out of our family home?

By Scott Seidewitz|2023-05-30T13:48:34+00:00May 26th, 2020|Legal Issues|

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 [...]

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The Best Way To Serve Your Spouse With Divorce Papers

By Scott Seidewitz|2023-05-30T14:32:25+00:00May 26th, 2020|Divorce Process|

The divorce process starts the moment you begin to contemplate divorce. From that moment until you notify your spouse, there is a lot of guesswork to be done. Can this divorce be done collaboratively? How adversarial will you and your spouse be during this process? The decision to pursue a divorce is one you must make alone, and it cannot be reached collaboratively with your spouse. If you are still in a place where you want to talk through [...]

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Will Seeking Therapy Hurt My Chances of Keeping My Children?

By Scott Seidewitz|2023-05-17T16:31:20+00:00May 26th, 2020|Divorce Process|

Divorce is hard, and counseling can be a valuable tool for emotional and psychological wellness throughout the process. However, many parents worry that seeking the help of a counselor or therapist might hurt their chances of gaining custody. The short answer is that no, seeking therapy or counseling will not harm your chances of winning custody. Judges usually prefer that if someone is having a hard time with the process that they seek help on their own, without [...]

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The Best Divorce Advice: Avoid Trial

By Randy M. Kessler, Esq.|2023-05-17T16:32:24+00:00May 26th, 2020|Divorce Process|

The best way to get divorced is as cheaply, painlessly, and as quickly as possible. Most people agree on this point. However, when the spouses seeking a divorce don't see eye-to-eye about what's fair, it can be tempting see trial as a way to settle your differences. The judge may not be the understanding person you imagined. They usually take a realist approach to divorce and are therefore more inclined to say, "Your marriage is over. Neither of you will [...]

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The Advantages of Mediation

By Scott Seidewitz|2023-05-30T14:36:11+00:00May 22nd, 2020|Divorce Process, featured|

Hashing out your divorce in court or with attorneys can be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful. But is there an alternative? Can two people come together and reach an agreement about how to divide their household, even if they don’t always see eye-to-eye? You can—with mediation. Agreeing To Mediation The first question many couples ask is: Do we have to be getting along to use mediation? While getting along will make mediation easier, mediators are skilled at helping [...]

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How Much Should I Be Paying For A Divorce Lawyer?

By Scott Seidewitz|2023-05-30T14:51:36+00:00May 22nd, 2020|Divorce Process|

With new, collaborative divorce tools available, you may not need to hire a lawyer or go to court. If your divorce is likely to be contentious, and you anticipate going to court, competent legal counsel is essential. How much should you expect to pay? How do you know if a lawyer is right for you? Here are some things you should know before you begin your search for a lawyer. Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Minerva Studio Cost The cost [...]

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Is This The Right Lawyer for Me?

By Scott Seidewitz|2023-05-30T14:53:17+00:00May 22nd, 2020|Divorce Process|

The initial consultation is your opportunity to size up a prospective attorney. Once you have found a lawyer that seems like a good fit, how do you use that opportunity to evaluate them? Is this attorney someone I can talk to? Divorce can be an intimate matter. Unless you can share specific private details, your lawyer can't give you their best legal advice. Divorce cases can sometimes go on for months or even years. How do they make you feel [...]

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