Divorce is a life-altering event, often shaking the foundation of both your emotional well-being and financial security. Divorce statistics show that the financial impact is often underestimated, leaving many people struggling to make ends meet after the split. Taking just a few proactive steps before filing for divorce can significantly improve your financial outlook. It can empower you to navigate the legalities with a clear head and ensure a smoother transition into your new, independent reality. Gather your documents Full financial disclosure is mandatory during divorces. Getting an early ..read more

One of the reasons the decision to divorce is so difficult for many California couples is the potential disruption to their financial lives. Perhaps you are in this situation. You might know that emotionally your marriage is over, and that divorce is the best step for everyone, but be worried about losing the financial stability that often comes with marriage. This is an understandable concern, especially for older couples who have built up significant assets such as retirement accounts. Aside from a home, retirement accounts are one of the biggest assets a married couple has. You may not want ..read more

Most kids look forward to summer because it means nice weather, no school and time to have fun. For co-parents, those fun months for the children can also be rather challenging. Thankfully, there are several things that parents can do that might make these months easier. While all of the tips below might not apply to every situation, many are a good starting point for planning for the summer. Navigating summer schedules Summer brings a shift from the structured routines of the school year to a more fluid, often unpredictable schedule. This can be a challenging time for co-parents as they navig ..read more

Divorce is usually emotionally charged and complex, especially when it comes to the children. It can be particularly distressing if your child starts refusing to visit the other parent as ordered by the visitation schedule. How do you navigate such a situation? The legal implications In California, the court prefers children to have a relationship with both of their parents unless there is a compelling reason not to, such as abuse or domestic violence. If a child refuses to participate in the agreed-upon visitation, it could result in legal consequences for the custodial parent, including bein ..read more

Divorce, in and of itself, is a difficult life experience. By the time divorce papers are on the way, most couples are usually living apart, especially in high-animosity situations. After all, if all you do is fight, staying apart makes a lot of sense. However, it’s important to understand that divorce is final. There are several key questions you need to ask before making the decision to pack and leave. Here are some of these questions: What will leaving mean for your child custody case? Unless you are leaving with the kids, moving out is bound to reduce your parenting time. Thus, if the kids ..read more

When couples get divorced, two of the biggest areas they have to consider are child custody and asset division. Couples need to split up their marital assets, which are typically just the items or financial assets that they gained during their marriage. They also have to figure out how to divide parenting time and decision-making power regarding their children. Pets fall into an interesting sort of middle ground. Is your pet a piece of property that has to be divided along with everything else that you own? Or is your pet more like a family member, and do you need to have a custody schedule so ..read more

In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of many people’s lives. However, when it comes to divorce proceedings, it's often wise to exercise caution and even consider avoiding social media altogether. Privacy concerns During a divorce, privacy becomes paramount. Sharing personal details, emotions or even pictures on social media can inadvertently expose sensitive information to the public, including your soon-to-be-ex-spouse and their legal team. Anything you post online may be used against you in court, so it's crucial to be mindful of what you share. Misinterpretation of p ..read more

In many cases, divorce comes from financial issues that a couple is experiencing. For example, some studies have found that the odds of divorce go up when someone loses their job. This could be due to the fact that the couple then faces a lot more financial stress and pressure, prompting the end of the marriage. But there are also cases in which the perspectives that people have about their money can be enough to cause issues within their relationship. It’s not that either person is right or wrong. It’s not that they don’t have enough money to make ends meet. It’s just that they view and use m ..read more

Being hit with an order to pay alimony can feel like a punch to the gut. After all, you’ve worked hard to secure your job and your income, and now it can feel like you’re being cheated out of it by a former spouse who has yet to become self-sufficient. Addressing the matter can seem difficult, too, given that you’ll have to demonstrate that there’s been a change in circumstances warranting some sort of modification. While that may include showing that your former spouse has secured employment or an education that renders them marketable in the workforce, one of the easiest ways to have alimony ..read more

You and your ex need to separate your finances when getting a divorce. Often, it’s a good idea to close any shared bank accounts when you first start the separation. It may take you months to actually finalize your divorce, but you could start living separately much sooner. If so, you may want to split up future earnings by opening personal bank accounts for your respective paychecks. But one of the most important things to remember while doing this is that you should collaborate with your spouse. Check the regulations that are in place with the financial institution. Much of the time, with jo ..read more