While it is possible to take a divorce case to litigation, settlements are often more favorable for all parties if a settlement can be negotiated. Sadly, divorce often involves a lot of deep and painful emotions, and that can cause people to act in ways that are unexpected or out of character. Money and child-related matters can also turn what might have been an amicable situation into a contentious one, especially if one or both parties try to use hard bargaining tactics to get what they want in the divorce. Learn how to reduce the risk of such issues in your case, thereby increasing your …

Divorce is a legally complex process with numerous pitfalls and challenges, which is why parties are advised to each seek their own legal counsel. High asset divorce – a case in which one or both parties has a high net worth or has a higher-than-middle-class income – only further complicates matters. Learn more about the risks associated with a high net worth divorce and how to mitigate against them, and discover how an experienced attorney can help protect your interests and financial future throughout the entire divorce process.

When deciding whether or not to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, often the choice boils down to the immediate finances. Chapter 7 bankruptcy usually requires a higher upfront payment, typically around $1,000 versus Chapter 13 may offer $0 deposit. Throughout the duration, Chapter 13 is more expensive, approximately $3,000, but many debtors are unable to produce the higher initial costs for the alternative, and Chapter 13 often allows the inclusion of the fees in the repayment plan. Unfortunately, for a significant portion of the population, this decision is costly with lasting …

Family courts have favored the mother in divorce proceedings for more than a century, partly because they have always been considered the “natural caregivers” of children. Times are changing, however, and more families using a shared parenting plan model that provides both parents with adequate time with their child. Learn how to determine if this parenting plan model may be appropriate for your family, and discover how an experienced attorney can help to ensure the best interests of your child are preserved throughout the entire legal process.

American families look quite different today than they did just a few short decades ago. In fact, recent studies have determined that approximately half of all families are blended, meaning there may be step-parents, step- or half-siblings, or any combination of the three. Some of these blended families co-parent with the biological parent (and perhaps the biological parent’s partner), but others find that a stepparent adoption is more appropriate for their situation. Learn more about the process, including how to determine if this may be an option for your family, and discover what an …

Parents who receive child support often rely on it to ensure their child’s needs are met. What happens, though, if the paying parent falls behind or refuses to make their payments? Besides placing a financial strain on the receiving parent, and potentially the child as well, the paying parent then becomes delinquent on their support. If that support is paid under an existing order with the courts, the receiving parent also has recourse for pursuing their overdue support. Learn more, including when the assistance of an experienced family law attorney may be necessary.

Unmarried fathers often assume that an agreement with the mother, and perhaps some financial assistance, will satisfy their desire to be a part of the child’s life. Sadly, this is rarely the case. Relationships break down, and issues along the way may jeopardize a father’s time and say-so in the child’s life. Thankfully, there is a way to protect all your fathers’ rights. Learn more in the following sections, including how an experienced attorney can help.

Even in the simplest of cases, divorce can be a complex matter. If you add in assets that are difficult to divide, such as a retirement account or pension plan, the process can become even more difficult to effectively navigate. Thankfully, divorcing parties can improve the outcome of their case by ensuring they have the assistance of a seasoned divorce team on their side. Learn more about retirement plans in divorce, including the importance, challenges, and risks completing a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) with help from the following information.

Parents are not the only influential people in a child’s life; grandparents can have a lasting and loving impact as well. Sadly, there are situations in which a grandparent may be denied time or visitation with their grandchild. What rights might you have while facing such a situation, and how can you exercise them? The following information explains, and it outlines how an experienced family law attorney can help.

One of the most commonly asked questions for people considering bankruptcy is, "what is a bankruptcy discharge?" A bankruptcy discharge is a court order that makes previously charged debts permanently unenforceable, effectively wiping the slate clean. The debtor becomes no longer responsible for the payment. As an additional benefit, all harassing calls, letters, and other forms of communication from creditors attempting to collect the money must stop. If collection attempts continue, creditors risk being in held in contempt of court and face potential punishments.

Terminating a parent’s rights to their child is not something that occurs regularly, but it is sometimes necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. How, exactly, does one go about doing this? Can it be applied in all situations, or are there only certain scenarios in which a parent’s rights can be terminated? The following answers these questions, and it provides important details on how an experienced family law attorney can assist you with the process, should it be warranted in your case.

When parents file for divorce, they are required to complete a parenting plan that outlines their wishes on parenting time and the allocation of parental responsibilities. Of course, since every family is unique, each parenting plan is (and should be) different. However, these variances in needs, desires, and circumstances can make what sounds like a straightforward process rather complicated. Learn how to make the most of your parenting plan by adopting some creative parenting plan solutions that may address your family’s unique needs.