Posted on March 26, 2019 in Child Custody

When a couple makes the decision to pursue a divorce, the process can be incredibly complicated. When children are involved, the decisions made during divorce will affect their lives for years to come. However, people's circumstances may change, and a modification to your divorce decree may be necessary in order to reflect changes in how you and your ex-spouse handle parental responsibilities and parenting time. If you plan to ask for a change to your child custody agreement, it is important to take the proper steps as you prepare for this request.

Preparing for a Parenting Plan Modification

You may petition for a modification to the parenting plan created in your divorce decree, but when considering these requests, a judge will base their decision on what is in children's best interests. In order to show that your proposed changes will be in children's best interests, you can take the following steps:

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 Posted on March 15, 2019 in Divorce

Every year, thousands of Americans make the difficult decision to pursue a divorce. While many divorces can be resolved amicably through collaborative divorce or mediation, a substantial percentage of divorces become too heated for joint participation. Throughout the divorce process, you are likely to feel a wide array of emotions. Maintaining a level of calmness and composure throughout your divorce can be critically important in ensuring you do not fall into some of the most common mistakes divorcing spouses can make.

Frequent Mistakes Made in Divorce

A divorce can be the right decision for you for any number of reasons. If your partner has been dishonest, has recklessly spent marital assets, or communicates with you in an unhealthy manner, your best option may be to get out of the relationship. Listed below are some of the most common errors people make as they navigate the divorce process:

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 Posted on March 14, 2019 in Mediation

While many people think that all divorces are hostile and aggressive, couples are often able to work together to end their marriage in an amicable manner. Here in the United States, divorce mediation is a commonly used strategy to negotiate a divorce settlement. Mediation is a process in which you and your spouse work with your attorneys and a third-party mediator to resolve the outstanding issues surrounding your divorce. If you believe that mediation is the right decision for you and your family, speak with your legal team regarding your options moving forward.

The Role of the Mediator

Many people disregard the option of mediation due to misconceptions they have related to the role of the mediator. During mediation, the mediator will assist you and your spouse through discussions and conflict resolution. It is important to note that the mediator will not make decisions for you and your spouse but will instead work to help you resolve issues in a mutually beneficial manner. Once an agreement has been reached between the two parties, the final agreement will be presented to the judge for approval.

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 Posted on March 11, 2019 in Domestic Violence

Here in the United States, an average of 20 people are physically abused by a spouse or intimate partner every minute. That means that every single year, an estimated 10 million Americans face some form of domestic abuse. The impact of domestic violence goes far beyond the initial injuries inflicted. Victims can face severe post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and even thoughts of self-harm. Fortunately, a dedicated legal team can help you remove yourself from an unhealthy and dangerous situation.

What We Can Do

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), approximately 25% of American women face some form of domestic violence from an intimate partner. In many cases, domestic abuse from a spouse or partner can escalate into severe or even fatal injuries. By working with a dedicated, compassionate legal team, you can ensure the safety of you and your family. Our attorneys can help with:

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 Posted on March 07, 2019 in Divorce

Every year, thousands of Americans elect to pursue a divorce. For many, a divorce can represent a new opportunity for love and life. An individual or couple can reach the decision to separate for a number of reasons. Below we will explore some of the most common reasons for divorce. If you are considering a divorce, it is critical you speak with an experienced legal team that can help you navigate the divorce process.

Top Reasons for Divorce

Divorce rates vary according to state and city. With a 21 ½ percent divorced adult population, East Alton near St. Louis is the divorce capital of Illinois. A recent study published in Couple Family Psychology looked at why most American couples pursue a divorce.

Heated Arguments

In most relationships, the ability to have healthy conversations and disagreements can be vital. That said, at some level, an abundance of arguments can become a problem. Arguing is cited as one of the primary reasons for roughly 57 percent of divorces. Heated arguments with a partner can impact one's self-esteem and overall emotional health. Moreover, an unhealthy amount of arguments can lead to domestic violence.

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 Posted on February 28, 2019 in Divorce

For children, witnessing the breakdown of their parents' marriage can be an emotionally traumatizing experience. When teenage children are involved in a divorce, it is especially important to consider their feelings and discuss the separation with them. Navigating the academic rigors and social aspects of high school can be difficult enough, and the challenges of adolescence are often amplified during a divorce. Below are a few ways to assist your teenage child through the divorce process.

Steps You Can Take

Helping your child understand the reasons behind your separation and the necessity for a divorce can be an incredibly challenging dialogue to engage in. Still, when parenting teenage children, it can be wise to have as many conversations as possible. Be sure to consider the following:

• Discuss Custody: While decisions about child custody and parenting time are made by the parents or, in some cases, by a judge, children's wishes may play a role in these decisions. It can be highly beneficial to have discussions with your teenage children about what they would like to happen after your divorce. Ensuring that your child will be able to spend significant time with both parents can help to lower any anxiety they may have about the divorce.

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 Posted on February 26, 2019 in Divorce

While a divorce can represent a new opportunity for two parties to find independent happiness in their lives, most people view divorce as a negative thing. When many people think about the divorce process, they picture lengthy court battles and volatile arguments between former spouses. However, many divorces can be calmly and amicably executed, as long as both parties strive to maintain a working relationship throughout the process.

Working Towards a Conflict-Free Separation

In 2017 alone, 787,251 American couples chose to get divorced. While some of those divorces may have been aggressive and unhealthy, many divorces can represent a seamless transition into a new chapter of one's life. Still, in order to ensure a healthy separation, one must work diligently with their partner to avoid conflicts. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to ensure that your divorce goes as smoothly as possible:

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 Posted on February 22, 2019 in Child Custody

Filing for divorce can represent an opportunity to begin a new life. Leaving a loveless marriage or an unhealthy relationship can oftentimes be the best decision a person can make. Still, the divorce process can quickly become complicated, especially when children are involved. Custody battles can be lengthy and stressful, and winning sole custody of children can be especially difficult. If you are filing for divorce and looking to address issues related to child custody, you need quality legal guidance.

Preparing for a Custody Battle

Every year, thousands of Americans file for divorce. Many people seeking a separation from their former spouse do not prepare for the divorce process in a proper manner. Listed below are a few steps that every person should take if they are looking to secure custody rights for their children:

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 Posted on February 19, 2019 in Divorce

Today, the divorce rate in America is on a steady decline. In large part, this decline is due to the fact that many young Americans are not pursuing divorce. However, among elderly Americans, the divorce rate has been rising over the past few decades. According to the Pew Research Center, divorce has doubled among Americans over the age of 50 since 1990. If you believe that a gray divorce is the right choice for you, it is time to speak with an attorney you can trust.

Important Aspects of Your Divorce

When divorcing as an older American, it is especially important to ensure that your financial future will remain intact. Below are a few of the most important criteria to consider as you navigate the divorce process:

• Your Retirement Plan: As your divorce is finalized, one of the most important aspects you and your legal team need to focus on is how your retirement accounts and/or pensions will be affected. Your retirement benefits and finances may be at jeopardy during your divorce, so you will want to take steps to ensure that you will have the financial resources you need when it is time to retire.

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 Posted on February 14, 2019 in Divorce

Every year, thousands of Americans choose to file for divorce. In many cases, the couples elect to separate amicably, and they may believe that their divorce will be a seamless transition into independent life. Some people are so confident in the mutual nature of the separation that they elect to represent themselves throughout the divorce process. This process is known as pro se divorce litigation.

People may decide to navigate the divorce process without the guidance of a legal professional for a number of different reasons. The couple may believe they can separate peacefully, there may be no children or substantial assets involved, or a person may not believe they can afford an attorney. Regardless of the rationale behind the decision to pursue pro se divorce litigation, the consequences of self-representation can be crippling to your future. If you are seeking a divorce, your best option is to speak with a qualified attorney as soon as possible.

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