Monthly Archives: November 2015

When is Litigation Your Best Option in a Divorce?

Even though divorce cases are among the most emotional and divisive of all civil cases, the vast majority of them settle before ever going to trial. There are many benefits to settling a case before trial. Often, this can save on court costs and avoids the uncertainty of letting a judge decide the case. However, settlement is not always to best option. Sometimes, your rights are betterContinue reading

Should I Ask For Spousal Maintenance?

When you are going through a divorce, there will almost certainly be a large number of decisions to make. If your divorce is more amicable, you and your spouse may be able to reach an agreement on many issues. If not, however, the court will be required to decide on concerns such as property division, parental responsibilities, and parenting time. Spousal maintenance, on the other hand,Continue reading

A No-Contest Clause May Prevent Will Disputes

When a loved one dies, it can very difficult on the surviving friends and family members. The intense emotions of dealing with the loss can often make a grieving family member act in ways that would be otherwise uncharacteristic, leading to serious disputes over a variety of matters. A common point of contention is the deceased person’s will, and serious battles can affect the stability ofContinue reading

Factors Affecting the Property Division Process

Long before most couples file a petition for divorce, they begin at least informally talk about how to divide their marital property. For some, especially in more amicable situations, this can lead to more formal negotiations and the development of a mutually agreed-upon property settlement. For others, however, the first discussions are essentially the last, as neither party is willing to compromise or attempt toContinue reading

Utah Case Highlights Struggle for Same-Sex Adoptive Parents

When the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples this summer, the decision provided a measure of hope for would-be adoptive parents. For many years, same-sex couples looking to adopt a child faced significant obstacles from state and private adoption agencies, as well as legal barriers in some cases. Despite advancements, however, it seems that the struggle isContinue reading

Robin Williams’ Widow: Comedian’s Death Was Related to a Form of Dementia

The entertainment world was sent reeling last August when it learned of the suicide death of actor and comedian Robin Williams. At the time, the award-winning entertainer’s family requested privacy as they looked to make sense of the terrible tragedy. Now, his widow Susan, to whom he had been married since 2011 has indicated in an interview with People magazine that Williams’ autopsy revealed that he wasContinue reading

Children of Divorce May Experience Trouble in School

There is no such thing as a “typical divorce,” and there is certainly no such thing as a “typical child of divorce.” Every situation is unique and is the result of a combination of countless variables in the family’s circumstances and relationships. There are, however, certain trends and possibilities of which divorced parents should be aware, as many children of divorce may experience similar challenges. A commonContinue reading

Developing a Sound Divorce Agreement

According to most estimates, somewhere between 90 and 95 percent of all divorces are negotiated outside of the courtroom. The remaining percent, as you might expect, are litigated often causing a high degree of stress and emotion for all involved parties. Of course, even a negotiated divorce can have its challenges, as reaching an agreement is not always easier, especially in contentious situations. The law regarding divorceContinue reading