Articles
1-10 of 164 results
Should I Talk to My Spouse Before Talking to My Divorce Lawyer?
By Jennifer Piper• September 22, 2026Posted in
Start With Information If you are considering divorce, one of the first questions you should ask is whether you should tell your spouse or talk to a lawyer first. The answer depends on your relationship with your spouse and how you expect your spouse to respond. If you and your spouse have gradually grown apart and are essentially friends who both recognize that the marriage is ending, you may feel comfortable talking about divorce before contacting an attorney. If there is any conflict, anxiety, or uncertainty, I recommend speaking with an attorney first. Know Your Rights Before the Conversation Talking to an attorney does not mean you are starting a legal battle. It means you are learning how the divorce process works and understanding what…
Should Siblings Ever Have Different Parenting Schedules?
By Jennifer Piper• September 15, 2026Posted in
Your Children May Have Different Needs When you create a parenting schedule after divorce, you may assume your children should all follow the exact same schedule. In some families, that works well, but your children may have different needs that make separate schedules a better choice. Consider a family with a 1-year-old and a 16-year-old. Their daily routines, activities, school schedules, and developmental needs are completely different. A schedule that works well for your teenager may not make sense for your toddler. Age and Activities Matter Your children’s ages will affect how you structure parenting time. An older child may have sports, school activities, jobs, or social commitments that make a traditional schedule difficult. Your child’s activities could also mean that a different schedule works…
When Is Mediation Not a Good Choice for a Divorce?
By Jennifer Piper• September 8, 2026Posted in
Is There Ever a Bad Time for Mediation? You could wonder if your divorce is too difficult, too contentious, or simply not ready for Mediation. In my experience, Mediation has value even when you are not prepared to immediately settle your entire divorce. Sometimes it makes sense to handle custody issues in advance of any financial issues or even to allow your family to try out a particular schedule for a time period, while working through other issues. If you and your spouse are missing documents or financial information, you do not necessarily need to cancel your mediation. You will use the session to discuss what information is needed, why it is needed, and how you will obtain and exchange it. A mediator may also…
Why Are There More Gray Divorces?
By Jennifer Piper• August 25, 2026Posted in
Why More Older Couples Are Choosing to Divorce Gray divorce or an over 50 divorce is increasing because people are living longer than previous generations. A couple in their 60s or 70s may have decades ahead of them, which leads many to think carefully about how to spend those years and many are choosing to divorce. Divorce is much more socially accepted than it was several decades ago, so that deciding to leave an unhappy marriage is now viewed as a realistic option. Retirement Brings New Priorities Into Focus Retirement is a major life transition that can reveal differences that were easy to overlook while raising children or building careers. When daily routines change, you and your spouse may discover that you have very different…
I Just Want It Over! Why Rushing a Divorce is a Big Mistake
By Jennifer Piper• August 18, 2026Posted in
Moving quickly through a divorce may seem appealing, but making major decisions without fully understanding the long-term consequences could cost you financially, affect the time you spend with your children, and create problems that do not become apparent until years later. Why People Want to Finish a Divorce Quickly When you are ready to move on with your life, it is natural to want the divorce process behind you. You may be emotionally exhausted, eager to end the conflict, and ready to focus on a new chapter in your life. While those feelings are understandable, making decisions based solely on speeding up the divorce process can lead to outcomes you will later regret. Your divorce agreement will affect your finances, property, parenting arrangements, and future,…
New Missouri Law Allows Divorce During Pregnancy
By Jennifer Piper• August 11, 2026Posted in
A New Option Under Missouri Law For many years, Missouri courts waited until after a child was born before allowing the finalization of a divorce. Although you could begin the divorce process and negotiate property division and other issues during the pregnancy, the final judgment typically was not entered until after the child was born. The Missouri legislature has recently changed the law to allow a divorce to be finalized before the child is born. While that may sound like a quicker solution, it does not eliminate many child-related legal issues, including the presumption of paternity. Child Related Issues Still Have to Be Resolved Whether your divorce is finalized before or after the birth, important decisions involving the child still must be made. Depending on…
What About Health Insurance in a Missouri Divorce?
By Jennifer Piper• August 4, 2026Posted in
Health Insurance During a Pending Divorce Missouri law prohibits a spouse from canceling the other spouse’s health insurance coverage while a divorce case is pending. Many Missouri counties also have local rules that provide additional protection, particularly if you have children who rely on that coverage. If you remove your spouse or children from a health insurance plan without proper authorization, you could face serious consequences from the court. However, you and your spouse can agree to make insurance changes during the divorce, if both of you consent and the change complies with applicable rules. What Happens After the Divorce Is Final Once your divorce is finalized, your former spouse no longer qualifies for coverage under your employer sponsored health insurance plan. At that point,…
Why You Don’t Win in a Divorce That Goes to Court
By Jennifer Piper• July 27, 2026Posted in
If your divorce ends in a courtroom battle, there is a very good chance that neither you nor your spouse will walk away satisfied. Choosing an out of court divorce process such as Mediation or Collaborative Divorce helps you focus on your long-term well-being, your children, and your future instead of continuing the conflict. Why There Are No Winners in Divorce Litigation Many people think that in a divorce one person will win and the other will lose. It is not that simple because divorce involves dozens of decisions about property, division of debts, child custody, parenting time, child support, and many other issues. A judge must make rulings on all those issues and it is highly unlikely that either spouse will receive everything they…
Co-Parenting vs. Parallel Parenting: What’s Best for Your Children?
By Jennifer Piper• July 20, 2026Posted in
When parents separate, it is tempting to think that having as little contact as possible will make life easier. While limited communication may help in certain situations, children usually benefit when parents work together on important decisions that affect their health, education, and well-being. What is Co-Parenting and What is Parallel Parenting? You have probably heard the terms co-parenting and parallel parenting used in family law discussions. Many people assume that parallel parenting means you and your former spouse never have to communicate or make decisions together. That is rarely possible. Even when you have separate households, there are still important matters that require cooperation. Medical care, educational decisions, extracurricular activities, and special needs services usually require input from both parents. Why Parallel Parenting Has…
What Happens If Your Spouse Doesn’t Want a Divorce?
By Jennifer Piper• July 13, 2026Posted in
If your spouse does not want a divorce, they can slow the divorce process by refusing to cooperate, but they cannot prevent the divorce from happening. In Missouri, one spouse does not need the other’s agreement to end the marriage. Collaborative Divorce and Mediation can help both you and your spouse communicate, address concerns, and better understand the issues that are making the divorce difficult to accept. Your Spouse Cannot Stop the Divorce One of the most common questions people have is whether their spouse can prevent a divorce simply by refusing to agree to it. In Missouri, the answer is no. If you no longer want to remain married, the court will ultimately grant the divorce. A spouse who opposes the divorce can delay…