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What is Co-Parenting?
By Paula Lock Smyth• May 13, 2020Divorcing parents are concerned about child custody and visitation. They worry about how their relationship with their child or children will be affected. The couple may fight with each other about what they each think is in the best interest of the child. Courts encourage the parents to work together in co-parenting their children and…How Much Does a Divorce Cost?
By Paula Lock Smyth• April 22, 2020Many family lawyers offer free consultations or charge clients a reduced fee for their initial consultations. If you are looking to find out how much your divorce will cost, the answer you will usually get is “it depends.” This is not a dodge — there are many factors that can impact the cost of a…Too Much Time at Home with Your Spouse?
By Paula Lock Smyth• April 15, 2020The coronavirus pandemic is putting a lot of pressure on everybody, including families that are spending substantially more time than usual with each other. Stuck together 24/7 for weeks on end, even spouses in rock-solid marriages are feeling some marital pressure. You may love your spouse, but that doesn’t mean you want to interact with…Novel Coronavirus and Job Loss
By Paula Lock Smyth• April 3, 2020The Novel Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in businesses closing and many people losing their jobs. The unemployment rate has skyrocketed and may continue to climb. This leaves many parents who pay court-ordered child support in a difficult spot. If you have court-ordered child support payments withheld from your paycheck, there are some things you need…Preparing for Court
By Paula Lock Smyth• March 25, 2020Many people are confused about what it means to go to court. Some think it is an informal legal process where a discussion takes place, a decision is made, and the divorce is final. In fact, there may be several court hearings throughout the case in an attempt to resolve the issues. Whether it is…Divorce Mistakes: Texting and Social Media
By Paula Lock Smyth• February 25, 2020Texting while divorcing, or posting on FB, Twitter or other social media platform, are all things you should not do while in the middle of a divorce. Airing your thoughts, frustrations, and misery on social platforms can come back to haunt you later. Anything you put out there can and will be used against you…Why Is It Important to Have A Child-Centered Divorce?
By Paula Lock Smyth• February 19, 2020When people divorce, their children may hear their parents arguing and feel like it is somehow their fault. They wonder what will happen to them. At our law office, we help parents step back from their own emotional issues and work to have a child-centered divorce. Child-Centered Divorce Using the Collaborative Process A collaborative divorce…How to Tell Children About Divorce
By Paula Lock Smyth• December 17, 2019Telling children that you are divorcing is one of the hardest parts of the divorce process. In almost every case, the children think it is somehow their fault, or at least believe they are partially to blame. One child may think, “If I had only made the team…” or “If I had only gotten better…Being Thankful, Even During Divorce
By Paula Lock Smyth• November 25, 2019How can someone be thankful, even during a divorce? What a great question. My answer is influenced by the fact that I have a strong faith. Many times, clients come to me because they too have faith and are looking for guidance in a situation that they never thought they’d be in. Fundamentally, I don’t…How Do You Explain to Clients About Mediation, Litigation and Collaborative?
By Paula Lock Smyth• November 18, 2019When a marriage breaks down, the parties know is they want a divorce, but they are unaware of the different methods available to them to make that happen. At Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices, we begin our representation by explaining to our clients what their options are and how mediation, litigation, and the collaborative divorce…Divorce and the Holidays
By Paula Lock Smyth• October 17, 2019Holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, are meant to be joyous and happy. But for those parents going through a divorce, these holidays present a special challenge. It is best for the children if the parents can communicate with each other and, as much as possible, maintain family traditions for the children. If parents cannot come…Property Division in Divorce
By Paula Lock Smyth• October 14, 2019Property division in divorce can be complicated. How the courts divide the estate depends on the type of the property involved and when or how it was acquired. Particular attention must be given to division of real estate and retirement plans. The court must also determine which property is marital property and which is separate…
