Settling into married life can be quite a significant adjustment for couples. Pre-marriage, partners often try to create a positive impression. An unmarried couple may not completely share their finances.  When a married couple lives together permanently, sharing finances and having to communicate about them is inevitable. Sometimes, different approaches to money management can create marital tension, and here’s why:  Adjusting to joint accounts  Before marriage, each spouse likely had their own bank account. What came in and out of that account was only seen by them. Most marri ..read more

As a divorced parent, you have a child custody agreement with your ex-spouse. This agreement determines your and your ex’s legal obligations to your child. For example, you may be responsible for picking up your child after school. Your ex may be responsible for caring for your child every other weekend, which includes providing food, shelter and clothing. Child custody agreements don’t always work without revisions until kids reach adulthood. Over the years, you may consider altering your child custody agreement. Here are a few reasons you may make changes to an existing child custody agreeme ..read more

Prenuptial agreements are more common than ever – even for young couples. Over 40% of Gen Z couples who are married or engaged report that they have a prenup. That percentage is closer to 50% for Millennials.  If you’re the parent of a young adult in a committed relationship or already engaged, it can be concerning if they’re not interested in getting a prenup or their partner is resisting it and they don’t want to “rock the boat.” They may not be aware of what is at stake if they don’t have an agreement in place when they marry. If you’ve worked hard to accumulate wealth, you’ve inherite ..read more

Couples tend to get married with a sincere belief that they will spend the rest of their lives together. For many, this is exactly what happens. However, a significant number of marriages end in divorce. Some couples overcome obstacles while others just can’t. If your relationship is rocky does this mean that your spouse may be considering divorce? Here are a few things to look out for. Lack of communication All married couples have disagreements, and this may include giving each other the silent treatment temporarily. However, when the communication stops for extended periods, this may be a b ..read more

Are you nervous to tell your spouse that you want a divorce? Maybe you’re not sure how they’re going to take it. Perhaps you know that they are opposed to the idea of a divorce and will be angry or frustrated to find out that you’re considering it. Even if your spouse is on the same page and you know the divorce is going to be amicable, it is important to consider how you tell them that you’d like to end the marriage. It can help things go more smoothly. Here are a few tips that may help. Find uninterrupted time First of all, find an uninterrupted time when the two of you can have a conversati ..read more

Every child has a right to enjoy the love and care of both parents. When a marriage ends in divorce, however, the court might grant primary custody to one parent as the other pays child support. But what if your ex is interfering with an existing visitation order? Can you get back by withholding child support? The simple answer is no. You may not withhold child support if your ex is interfering with your visitation rights.  Child support and child custody are two separate matters  The court takes the best interests of the child very seriously. That’s why, in the event of a divorce, t ..read more

Divorce is so common that it’s believed that half of all marriages end in divorce. People who face marital issues can seek out therapists who may help them recover and strengthen their relationships. However, many marriages don’t last even with hours of counseling.  There are a lot of reasons why a marriage might fall apart. Here’s what you should know: Financial difficulties A marriage can face many different kinds of financial difficulties. For instance, someone who is unwilling to find another job after being fired could cause a multitude of stress on their spouse. Or, couples who can ..read more

We’re getting into one of the most popular times of year for children of separated and divorced parents to travel in and out of LAX as “unaccompanied minors.” If you and your co-parent have already worked out the financial details and agreed that your child has reached the age and maturity needed to fly on their own, a big part of your work is done. All airline unaccompanied minor (UM) programs have their own age restrictions (typically between 5 and 15), fees, services provided to the child (and parents) and document requirements. It’s best to find an airline that offers non-stop flights betw ..read more

Divorce is a major life change that can bring up a wide range of emotions, even for those who are eager to end their marriage. Unfortunately, these unexpected emotions can interfere with your ability to make sound decisions. When preparing for your divorce, it is wise to consider how it may affect you emotionally if you want to avoid a poor outcome. To help you get started, the following sections discuss a few of the emotions that often plague those embroiled in a divorce. Feelings of love Even if you initiated the divorce, you may still feel a lot of love for your spouse. For many, love is a ..read more

A prenuptial agreement is more than just a legal contract. It’s a crucial discussion that sets the tone for financial transparency in a relationship. So, when is it an ideal time to have the talk? Too early or too late, and you may significantly impact the effectiveness of your prenup. For instance, your financial circumstances or your partner’s may change if you enter into a prenup too soon in a long engagement. More importantly, you risk having an unenforceable agreement when you enter into a prenup too late. When to broach the topic Timing is crucial when considering a prenup talk. If you a ..read more