Deciding that divorce is your best solution is one of the most difficult steps in ending a marriage. With that said, your hard work is just beginning. If you are like many other Kansas City, Missouri, residents you may not know what to do immediately following this decision. While all divorces require action unique to the parties involved, there are some things all people should do after deciding their marriage is over. During our years of serving those looking to divorce, we have learned that most people want to make the process as smooth as possible. We have gathered several tips to share wi ..read more

When determining child support in divorce, family courts strive to establish a consistent standard of living for minor children. This means calculating the gross monthly incomes of each parent when handing down a child support order. For many, there are often multiple sources of income. Some of these sources can easily be overlooked when performing your calculations. As you might imagine, this can lead to a big surprise in terms of how much support you might be ordered to pay when the judge makes a ruling. You already know that your wages and salary are big factors in determining how much supp ..read more

Most divorces in Kansas City result in at least some degree of bitterness, often lingering even after the divorce is complete. Many spouses would not mind if they never had to see their ex again, but parenting does not stop in the wake of divorce. This can lead to trouble for some Missouri couples when making child custody exchanges. Some of the issues that arise during exchanges can be harmful to a child's mental and emotional wellbeing. For example, if parents engage in heated arguments or name-calling every time an exchange occurs, children may come to dread what should be a pleasant experi ..read more

In discussions about child support, much of the focus is on parents that are responsible for making payments. Considering how hard it is for some to collect support from co-parents, it is natural to focus on these issues. However, children benefit from love and support from each parent, which means that the custodial parent has responsibilities, too. All custodial parents in Kansas City, Missouri, should try to learn about their responsibilities when receiving child support. In a best-case scenario, you will have already discussed these issues with a legal advocate. If you have not done so, it ..read more

As attorneys serving Kansas City, Missouri, residents, we have nearly seen it all when it comes to divorce. With that said, one thing that we do not see very often is men pursuing their right to spousal support when a marriage ends. Just like women, men have every right to seek support when they are less affluent than their wives. However, it seems that not many men take advantage of this beneficial option. We will offer a scenario for you to consider. Say that you stayed at home to care for your kids while your wife built a successful career. When divorce enters the picture, you will likely h ..read more

At one time in our nation, family courts were much less progressive. In some cases, these courts may have failed to recognize the many benefits a child receives when he or she has a relationship with both parents. The legal approach to child-related matters has changed a lot over the years. In these more contemporary times, Missouri courts support and advocate for quality parenting time regardless of who has primary child custody. Interfering with a co-parent's court-ordered right to spend time with a child can have significant consequences. Examples of such consequences include the following ..read more

Missouri residents in unhealthy marriages often dream about getting away from their situation. Divorce may be the best answer for those living in marriages with an unfair balance of power. However, getting a divorce is not as simple in these relationships as it is in other situations. Divorce can bring out the worst in people. Now, imagine trying to divorce someone who uses bullying to get their way. To put it mildly, it is an extremely difficult process. A narcissist or bully often displays the following types of behavior: Making threats of physical, emotional and/or psychological harm Using ..read more

Most parents are hesitant to ask questions about when they may stop paying child support. Many people believe that asking such a question will make them look as if they do not want to support their kids. Despite the hesitance, it is a valid and important question for parents who wish to begin planning later stages of their lives. While nearly all parents would never begrudge the money they spend to care for their children, it is natural to look forward to a time when you can stop making these payments. As in most states, a Missouri parent's child support obligations typically end when a ch ..read more

For some Missouri residents, child custody and visitation is a concern. One issue that is frequently problematic for both parents is if one wants to relocate. This can impact various aspects of the child custody agreement. With parental location, it is wise to adhere to the legal requirements regardless of the parent's perspective. When a parent wants to relocate, the other parent and anyone who is entitled to custody and visitation must be informed via certified mail. This must be done within 60 days of the relocation. The following information must be provided: the location of the new reside ..read more

It can be easy to create a plan in which a parent spends every other week with his or her child. However, this may not necessarily be in the child's best interest, especially for kids who under 12 years of age. Fortunately, there are many different ways in which mothers and fathers can allocate parenting time after a divorce. For instance, a child could spend weekdays with one parent and the weekend with the other. The goal is to find a plan that works for the parents while also ensuring that the child's needs are met. Keeping a child away from a parent for too long could cause separation anxi ..read more