When you and your ex were married, visiting grandparents was likely a regular event. Even if you had to travel to see them, you may have had a routine for when your children got to see their grandparents.\r\n Divorce brings a new set of questions you did not think you would need to answer. Now t...
For couples unable to have children the old-fashioned way, adoption is one alternative. Sometimes, it is a fantastic solution for parents and kids alike. Despite this, difficulties often arise. Some of these problems need legal intervention to resolve. Others merely call for sensitivity that adop...
Gray divorce is a term people use to describe divorces that happen between people who are age 55 and older. The most recent U.S. Census indicates that the 43% divorce rate in this age group is the highest of any age group tracked. These are a few things you should know about gray divorce. Sometim...
Like many families seeking to adopt a child, you are likely unsure how to get the process started. You may have heard horror stories from acquaintances or on the news and feel wary of adoption agencies. One way to protect your own interests, and your heartstrings, as you embark upon adopting a ch...
In New York State, the child's custody preference does not directly affect a judge's decision. However, it is one factor that a judge considers when making the ultimate ruling. If you worry about parenting time, there are a few things you should know about custody laws in New York. Please continu...
When you split from your spouse in New York and question whether you have the means to be financially independent, you may decide to pursue spousal maintenance in your divorce. New York's courts refer to a specific set of variables when deciding whether to award you spousal maintenance in your sp...
Child custody is often the most contested matter in divorce proceedings. Parties who cannot agree must defer to the courts, and many fear prejudice based on gender. What custody arrangement serves the child's best interests? Ideally, children should benefit from equal time, love and support from ...
Over the past few decades, fewer things have impacted daily life like social media. Sharing lives online is second nature for many. Does the online world cause a real-world disconnect with a spouse? The virtual connections made through social media may significantly impact marriage and, relatedly...
New York State laws require dividing marital properties fairly between both spouses. Common setbacks include splitting assets that may result in debts or capital gains taxes that an unmarried individual may not afford. A couple's residence, for example, typically reflects their most valuable asse...
Getting a divorce in New York may feel daunting. The process starts and ends with a deep dive into your financial situation. Giving the court a full and accurate accounting of your assets and debts is critical to dividing things according to the law. What if you suspect something is off about you...
Though there is no guarantee the court will grant it, either parent can petition for a child support modification in certain situations. A modification may be sought when either parent has a material change in circumstances if three years have passed since the original order or last modification....
Your family has decided to adopt a child. The commitment to add a new member to your family is courageous and challenging. You may have many concerns about the adoption process, including the steps the biological parents need to take to see the adoption through. One essential question you may ha...
There are many painful and stressful aspects of a divorce. The division of marital assets is often the thing that causes the most contention among spouses. Knowing how your state's divorce court divides assets will help you to prepare for it, so that you don't get caught off guard. Equitable divi...
If your new spouse has children, adopting them may be high on your priority list. After all, adoption legally protects the relationship you have with your stepchildren. If you eventually decide to divorce your spouse, a stepchild adoption also gives you certain rights and may ensure you have a fu...
Modern marriages are more equitable than those in generations past. Both spouses are more likely to contribute to the household finances and to do its necessary upkeep. It's also true that men have become more involved in the task of parenting children than their fathers may have been. Some coupl...
When it comes to divorce, parents find themselves facing unexpected legal issues regarding child custody, parenting plans, etc. Though circumstances may arise where one or both parents encounter changes that require them to go their separate ways, their relationship and parental obligations remai...
Once you decide to divorce, it won't be long until you're planning out your future. And for most people, this means taking a strong look at their financial situation and the best way to maintain stability down the road. You never know what will happen post-divorce, but that shouldn't stop you fro...
Divorce can be difficult and stressful, but child custody disagreements often add another layer of concern and challenge for families. Who is the better parent, Mom or Dad, and is their success based on their masculine or feminine roles assumed in the home? In the past, courts may have sided wit...
Divorce often brings financial setbacks, but you may lessen the risk with careful advance planning. If you believe your marriage is over, begin preparing a post-divorce budget. It may serve as a realistic guide for negotiating spousal support, maintenance or property division. As noted by USA To...
If you have recently separated or have started the process of planning to divorce, you may need to embrace the reality that the upcoming holiday season is probably going to be difficult for everyone in the family. The sooner you address the holidays and the stresses that they can cause for parent...
Let's face it: No matter how much money the average person has coming in, it always seems like there's too little. If you experience a sudden decline in your income due to a job loss, layoff or reduction in hours, the financial situation in your household can get very serious, very fast. Filing f...
Your children are young, and you've always wanted to provide everything they wanted. Unfortunately, over time, that desire has meant that you've added hundreds of dollars onto credit cards. You've had amazing vacations and spent thousands on gifts and toys, but in the end, you're truly struggling...
Whether you and your spouse have significant wealth, considerable debt or only a few assets, you need to know what happens to property when you divorce. After all, you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse likely have a keen interest in receiving as much of the marital estate as possible. In New York, ju...
Older adults have been considering divorce at higher rates than in decades past. Couples who have been together for decades may now find that, with their children and retirement looming, they are not happy in their existing relationship. Gray divorces, or divorces between couples who have been ma...
When your spouse decided to get a divorce, you were shocked. You're both in your 60's, and you have significant debt to your name. You never expected to be dealing with such a large share of debt this late in life, especially since you'd both planned on how to pay it off before retirement. Unfort...
