Articles
Get Ready for the Divorce: Practical Steps to Prepare Yourself Legally and Emotionally
Divorce is never easy, but there are steps you can take to make the process go more smoothly. Knowing the legal processes involved and preparing yourself emotionally will help you to prepare for the divorce and move forward with your life. It’s important to take the time to educate yourself about the legal issues, such as division of assets, custody arrangements, and spousal support. Additionally, it’s essential to develop emotional coping strategies to help you get through the emotional turmoil of divorce. Whether you are facing an uncontested or contested divorce, these steps will help you prepare for the divorce and move forward. Understand the legal process of divorce Legal separation and divorce are both valid legal proceedings for ending a marriage. Legal separation is…
How to Cope with Divorce: 8 Simple but Effective Strategies to Move On
Divorce can be an intensely difficult experience. It is often accompanied by sadness, guilt, and anger. It is a painful transition that can leave many feeling hopeless and helpless. However, many effective strategies can help you cope with divorce and move forward with your life. Here are 8 simple but effective strategies to help you cope with divorce and move on. The first and perhaps most important divorce tip is to take care of yourself. Make sure you are eating well, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and engaging in self-care activities that bring you joy. Taking good care of your physical and mental health will help you to cope with the stress and hardship of divorce. Another divorce tip is to reach out to your…
What is a Deposition and What is Its Purpose?
A deposition is where an Attorney will ask questions of the Witness under oath in front of a Court Reporter. There are several reasons for taking a deposition. These may vary depending on your case, the knowledge of the witness, time, or other factors. Some of these reasons may include, but are not limited to: Depositions are very important and are not necessary in every case. Through effective depositions, you can learn new facts about your case and properly prepare for trial. We recommend you discuss this further with your attorney today.
Why is Collaborative Law a Better Choice for Your Family Going through a Divorce?
When you and your spouse choose the Collaborative law process to resolve your divorce, the focus is on the best interest of your family as a whole. When proceeding with the traditional route of litigation, the focus is on the best interest of the individual. At the end of the litigation process, neither client is completely happy nor satisfied, resulting in a lot of hard feelings. Clients are often angrier at the end of the litigation process than they were at the beginning. Trust that is already broken, is even further destroyed. Through the Collaborative Law process, clients can work to restore broken trust with the Collaborative Law team to assist you. There are both financial and therapeutic trained professionals who will help your family…
Information for Survivors of Domestic Violence and How to Obtain an Order of Protection during COVID-19
Restrictions aimed to stop the spread of the Coronavirus may be making domestic violence in homes more frequent, more severe, and more dangerous. We are dedicated to stopping Domestic Violence and doing whatever we can to prevent partners and children from suffering at the hands of their abusers. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri recently put together Information for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Family Law Toolkit for Survivors of Domestic Violence during COVID-19, and released a 30 minute recorded webinar on their Facebook page and on YouTube that covers Orders of Protection, custody issues, and general Family Court questions during COVID-19. These links offer helpful information on how to obtain an Order of Protection, custody exchanges during the statewide stay-at-home order, court appearances, child support orders, Domestic…
Alternative Communications with Children during Covid-19
The current pandemic has made it difficult for some parents to spend time with their children. While the Courts have made it clear that they expect existing custody orders to be followed during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Stay at Home Orders, issues may still arise that make it difficult for parents to exchange children during this time. For example, one parent may have been exposed and be required to self-quarantine while the children were with the other parent, and the children may not be able to immediately come over; children may be required to quarantine with a particular parent if they were exposed while with that parent; or the parties may simply be unable to travel at this time. This could result in one…
How Does a Stay at Home Order, Coronavirus, or COVID-19 Affect the Exchange of Children between Parents?
The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts issued a joint statement with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers titled, “7 Guidelines for Parents Who Are Divorced/Separated and Sharing Custody of Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Every parent faced with exchanging custody of their children during this time, will benefit from this advice. Stay at Home Orders are going into place, requiring people to stay at home for the next 30 days, except for essential activities. St. Louis City and County Stay at Home Orders both specifically provide an exception to allow for custody exchanges – which means you may leave your home to exchange custody of your child. Since your custody schedule and parenting plan are court orders, you must follow them. These are extraordinary…
How to Prepare for Your Divorce or Child Custody Consultation
Our attorneys are often asked how to prepare for your divorce or child custody consult. While you are not required to bring anything to your consult, it can be helpful and move the process along faster. If you are not able to obtain this information, do not worry, we will still be able to proceed, and our attorneys are experienced in how to obtain the information during your case. Helpful information to gather can include any of the following: What to Bring to Your Divorce Consultation Ask an Attorney about How to Prepare for a Divorce or Child Custody Consultation If you still have questions about what to bring with you, you should reach out to our firm. We can explain how to best prepare…