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What Should I Know About Divorce

There are many important things to keep in mind when starting a divorce, such as creating financial reserves, seeking out financial assistance, and contemplating where you're going to be living. Other considerations are more emotionally based, designed to help survive a divorce and chart a course for a successful future after its conclusion. Top 5 Practical … Continued

Taking Emergency Action To Modify A Parenting Plan

When it comes to our children's welfare, every decision is urgent. Once we’ve decided what's best for our kids, we want action right away. When it comes to emergency parenting, the urgency we feel often comes up against the hard reality of the court system.   It's a slow process, getting a judge’s attention, and … Continued

When to Move Out

Once a spouse has decided a divorce is going to happen, continuing to live together under the same roof can be a really bad idea. Many times though, alternatives to this bad situation aren’t so clear.  Money is scarce. Options seem limited. It’s hard to see how life is going to move forward. What’s a couple supposed … Continued

Alcohol or Drugs and Time with Your Kids

Substance abuse is a common factor of conflict for parents in a divorce. Divorce parties may turn to alcohol and drug use during the divorce process to handle stressful and sadness. With these cases, addictions can result in the separating parties choosing between family or addiction. In any circumstance, families and legal counsel will want … Continued

Overview: The Decision to File in Colorado

The choice to file for divorce may be the most difficult decision. The challenges a family faces during such a process can be especially significant. Spouses commonly fear the impact this decision will have on their loved ones or career. Many fear they’ll lose what’s important to them, such as their family, children, assets, or…

Divorce Mediation or Bust

If you filed for divorce, family court mediation is, more than likely, coming your way. And that’s a good thing. Regardless of whether or not you’ve retained counsel, courts very often order mediation before you’re allowed to set the case for a final hearing. Most often, mediation is conducted by a trained mediator at a…

Protecting Mothers Rights

In family law cases, mothers face the competing interests of the needs of their children and the involvement of the father. A court must evaluate the needs of children involved and the mother's rights. With strategy, mothers can obtain favorable results for themselves and their families. Protecting mothers rights is an essential part of any … Continued

What Does Parental Alienation Look Like?

Parental alienation occurs when a parent poisons the relationship between the other parent and his or her children. Its effects are highly destructive on the children and the parents. Experts warn that parental alienation if left unchecked, may have a lifelong impact on a child. Also, the child's relationship with both parents is negatively affected. … Continued

Key to Parenting Time: Cooperation

Splitting parenting time can be fertile ground for conflict  Parties get fixated on percentages and the number of overnights, instead of cooperation and what may work best for the kids. It’s best to focus discussions on child-centered schedules. If you walk into court describing your kids like a pie to be divided, you’ll lose credibility…

Fathers Have Rights, Too

"Is my state a father’s state, or a mother’s state?" It's a common question, and we get it all the time from clients worried about gender bias in our courtrooms.  Father's rights cases are on the rise.  You hear men in divorce cases concerned, "fathers have rights, too" Family law statutes in most states are … Continued

Understanding Child Custody In California

The word “custody” is what most people think of when they talk about time with their kids after a divorce. Most family law professionals, including lawyers and judges, stay away from this term. Instead, “parenting time” and “decision-making” are commonly used in its place. The phrase, “custody” implies ownership or control of something, so “custody”…

Avoid Overpaying Attorney Fees

Family law clients have a significant degree of control over attorney fees incurred within their cases. The biggest factor in the overall cost of divorce is conflict. If a client manages the level of conflict, carefully picking and choosing their battles, it will have a big impact on the cost of the case. Divorce can … Continued

Child and Family Investigators (CFI)

A Child and Family Investigators, or CFI, is an expert appointed by a court to help a judge resolve parenting time and decision-making conflicts. Not every case involving children requires a CFI.  CFIs are usually only appointed to cases where one, or both parties request this expert.  A judge may also determine on his or … Continued

Reducing Conflict in Separation

Divorce can be an unpleasant topic. When a couple decides to get married, the topic of separation is typically not at the top of their list to discuss. However, many of the contentious issues that arise can be minimized by taking the time to discuss the tough questions with your spouse prior to marriage. Similar … Continued

Grandparents Rights In Dependency and Neglect

In today’s world of modern families, it’s not unusual for grandparents to seek their own rights regarding their grandchildren. This is a well-established statutory ability for grandparents (or great-grandparents). With this ability, grandparents “seek a court order granting them reasonable grandchild or great-grandchild visitation rights.” However, the implementation of these rights can only be done … Continued

Completing an Uncontested Divorce in California

An uncontested divorce is a lawsuit.  And this lawsuit must be filed, even if the divorcing couple is not in conflict regarding parenting plans, financial support, and asset and debt distribution. Even if a divorcing couple can set aside the raw emotion of the break-up, most have difficulty with the lawsuit itself. Lawsuit issues include…

5 Things NOT to Post During a Divorce

Divorce is easy - said no one, ever. Going through a divorce is one of life's most stressful experiences both emotionally and financially. In today's world, we often turn to social media as an outlet to voice our opinions, seek solace with friends, or simply to keep up with the Kardashians... I mean news. As … Continued

Do Transgender Parents Have Rights?

When a Colorado court is tasked with making a custody order for a minor child, the court's outcome is based on the best interest of the child.  While courts should not take transgender status into consideration regarding the best interests of a child, it would be naïve to think it never happens. Here are some … Continued