Home prices around the country are going up, especially in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. That may seem like a good thing for homeowners who want to sell their place and plan to move to an area that has lower home prices. Unfortunately, for those who are getting a divorce and must remain in the DFW metroplex, the rising costs of real estate can have a negative impact on their plans to move … [Read more...]
The Impact of Illegal Drugs or Alcohol on a Divorce
Divorces often bring to light an underlying problem with alcohol or illegal drugs for one or the other spouse. Whether or not it is the main reason for the split, the issue impacts divorce in many ways, particularly in the areas of child custody, visitation and property division. Impact on Child Custody and Visitation A parent’s illegal drug use or alcohol addiction will impact child … [Read more...]
Advantage of Neutral Experts in a Collaborative Divorce
There are many advantages to including neutral experts in the Collaborative Divorce process. Collaborative Divorce is not an adversarial process and one of its stated purposes is to keep the spouses out of court. With the help of their attorneys and neutral professionals who assist in educating and guiding them, the couple can move forward in their new life as single people without hostility and … [Read more...]
Benefits of a Financial Neutral in a Divorce
When a couple begins the divorce process, it is common that one spouse has been in charge of the finances and the other knows very little about the couple’s financial situation. Often, one spouse has earned most of the money and/or one spouse has put their career on hold to raise the children. There is an imbalance of knowledge and awareness of what the assets are and what income the couple … [Read more...]
The Costs of a High Conflict Divorce
A high conflict divorce is one where at least one of the parties in the case is difficult to deal with or at least one of the attorneys seems to enjoy stirring up the pot. Whichever it is, it can substantially increase the cost of the divorce. How a High Conflict Divorce Increases the Cost The main way a high conflict divorce increases the cost is by increasing the number of … [Read more...]
How to Reduce the Cost of Divorce
When a couple decides to pursue a divorce, they always want to know how much it is going to cost. There is no definitive answer since each case is unique. It is generally not even possible to quote a “ballpark figure” since the costs depend on how much conflict there is and how many issues can be settled out of court. The more conflicts there are, and the more times one party insists on a court … [Read more...]
The Importance of a Prenup
Prenups are often misunderstood. Most people think of a premarital agreement, aka prenup, as a roadmap for divorce. Instead, a prenup should be viewed as an agreement, entered into in advance of any conflict, that clarifies how the married couple will deal with their finances while they are married. It also can provide for security in the unfortunate event of the marriage ending in divorce or … [Read more...]
What Do Kids Want from Their Parents During a Divorce?
Children of all ages are generally upset when they find out their parents are getting a divorce. This is true even when they have heard their parents arguing and there is tension in the home. They do not want to experience the disruption of their family life as they know it. A few exceptions may be if there have been issues of a parent’s addiction or domestic violence. In those cases, children … [Read more...]
Dealing with Divorce and the Holidays: Part 2
The holiday season often presents problems with divorced parents. If they are unable to put aside their differences and either be together with their children or work out an agreement, they will need to follow the court’s standard possession schedule for the holidays. The Court’s Standard Holiday Possession Order Courts divide Christmas school vacation for the children into two … [Read more...]
Dealing with Divorce and the Holidays: Part 1
Holidays are upon us and many parents who are divorced or going through the divorce process do not feel as merry and bright as presented in songs of the season. Parents, who are often reeling emotionally from their breakup, are now charged with the task of making this a fun time for their children. This is part one of our suggestions for how you can enjoy the holiday season and develop new … [Read more...]