Heading for Divorce?

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

Over the course of any marriage, spouses will fight. It is a fact. However,  the subject of those fights and the ways in which spouses choose to fight (or not fight) can dictate whether or not a fight is but a precursor to divorce. A fight does not have to signal the end of a relationship, especially if it is about something that a couple can work through with some effort and common sense.

What Are You Fighting About?

Difference pertaining to the handling of finances frequently are the cause of fights between spouses. However, not all fights are about mishandling the checking account. Here’s a list of things couples fight about that might seem minor, but have proven to create major battles in some relationships.

• The remote control: Spouses have been known to quarrel over who holds the remote, how loud is the TV and what to watch. Perhaps this is why many homes have more than one television set.

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What Happens When a Death Occurs During Divorce?

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

The divorce process is fraught with questions and uncertainty. It also results in heightened anxiety and feelings of depression, anger, relief and a variety of other emotions. However, that uncertainty and swirl of emotions can reach a new level if one spouse unexpectedly dies prior to a final divorce decree.

From Almost Ex-Spouses to Widow (or Widower)

In addition to the legal issues under review as part of the divorce, the surviving spouse often must deal with questions pertaining to how to grieve and handling expressions of condolence from others. While the legal path to resolve matters may be more clear, both it and the emotional side of things can present challenges.

From the legal aspect:

• A difficult matter takes on a new level of complexity.
• When your spouse dies prior to a finalized divorce this does not entitle you to immediately take possession of all the assets that were the subject of division negotiations.

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Worst Case Scenario Divorce

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

For some people, the divorce experience is fraught with stress, uncertainty, dread and other feelings of ill will. It did not start out that way, but once reality sets in and attorneys begin discussing the matters of custody, asset division and other financial issues it is not uncommon for bad feelings to surface.

Handling the Worst a Divorce Has to Offer

Fears of being “taken to the cleaners” can cause a person to lose sleep, become bitter and even react overly aggressive in a situation when calm behavior might be best. When you dread getting out of bed because you have to go meet your ex-spouse and their attorney it can have a negative effect on others areas of your life. Perhaps consider this routine to get a grip of your concerns and create a plan to control your emotions.

• Step 1: Write down the worst outcome(s) of the divorce you can imagine. Many fear being left broke and in debt, stuck in what seems like a never-ending divorce, and without a meaningful relationship with their children.

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Serving Divorce Papers on Social Media

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

The introduction and evolution of social media has made a huge impact on a variety of personal and business matters. Now it seems that some people are using social media platforms as a means for expediting the serving of divorce papers to hard to find spouses. This new use of social media platforms has the potential to provide some measure of simplicity in what at times is a time-consuming process.

A New Use for Facebook

As it turns out, an increasing number of judges are approving the use of Facebook to serve hard-to-find spouses because more and more people are easier to find through their online activity. In one of the first cases addressing the issue, the petitioner claimed that even employment of a private investigator provided no results in locating her spouse. However, she had a cell phone number and knowledge of an active social media account used by the husband. The presiding judge ruled that the increased use of social media in a growing number of aspects in life allowed for it to be used as a new forum for delivering a summons. Other benefits of using social media include:

• Facebook posts include time stamps and automatic notifications of who sees the post and when they view it.

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Social Media Mistakes When Going Through Divorce

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

There is no denying that going through a divorce can be a very trying time in life. Many people benefit from discussing their feelings with friends or a mental health professional. However, the growth in popularity of social media has led to an increase in the use of online postings as a way to vent about their spouse and relieve frustration.

Some Social Media Don’ts

While airing your feelings and frustrations about your divorce or your soon-to-be-ex may feel liberating, it can result in negative consequences. Consider these tips and strategies for social media use prior to, during and after a divorce to avoid causing yourself or others further harm.

• Do not jump the gun. Changing your “relationship status” too early in the process can take your partner by surprise, especially if the possibility of a divorce was never previously discussed. It might also give your spouse the chance to hide assets or do other things that could hinder your opportunity for an equitable divorce decree.

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Divorce Risk: Does a Short Engagement Result in Divorce?

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

Recently it was reported that the participants of a reality show entitled, “Married at First Sight,” had finalized their divorce, citing irreconcilable differences at the time of filing. A second couple from the show started the divorce process last month. This begs the question whether or not a brief period of engagement dooms the marriage.

The Engagement Period

Various studies on the subject offer no concrete answers as to the perfect length of engagement, certain themes emerge that show tendencies on the subject.

• Too Short - Many believe engagements lasting less than 12 months do not offer couples enough time to truly get to know each other. While they enter the marriage while the relationship is still fresh, new and exciting, those feelings may quickly fade when the realities and responsibility of a lifetime commitment present previously unexperienced problems or disagreements.

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Divorce and Blame

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

When a couple splits everyone immediately wants to know who is to blame. Surely one of the spouses or other did something so egregious that is resulted in divorce. In some cases, the couple who is splitting up feels the need to blame their partner for the divorce in order to relieve some of their own guilt.

The Blame Game

Even though most states offer the option of a no-fault divorce, blame still plays a big part in the reasons leading up to and the process of a divorce. Many times it is not even those who are seeking a divorce that place blame, as friends and family have been known to choose sides and blame the other for the end of the marriage. Some common thoughts on blame and divorce include:

• It many cases, there is no blame to place as two people eventually learn they just are not compatible and decide a divorce is the best thing for both of them.

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Things a Divorce Lawyer Knows

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

Anyone who has experienced divorce or is in a relationship headed for divorce understands it is an emotional and volatile period. Advice and guidance come from well-meaning friends and family members, but the complexities of a contested divorce require a greater understanding of the issues and family law.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Even if you have been through a previous divorce, it is very likely that every breakdown of a marriage contains element and issues unique to the people involved. It is for these and many other reasons why the counsel of a practice legal professional may prove to be the best decision a person makes when they have the resolve to pursue a divorce decree. In addition to handling all the key research and filings, a divorce attorney can help a person keep track of other related details.

• Avoid letting emotions guide your financial decisions. Often times acting out of spite or anger could damage your own financial future.

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Unusual Divorce Laws

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

It is a common and widely-held opinion that divorce is no laughing matter, especially if you or someone you love has been through the experience. However, sometimes certain celebrity splits and other unusual reasons for divorce hit the news and one cannot help but shake their head and maybe even chuckle.

Strange and Weird

While many divorces involve fairly straightforward claims to dissolve a marriage, there are times when divorce attorneys and the courts hear of some very out of the ordinary claims. As it is, there are divorce laws in some states and countries still in effect that many consider unusual to downright bizarre. However, it turns out that these laws exist because the reasons for their creation still occur.

• A man in Vermont can divorce his wife is she gets false teeth without first notifying him.
• In New York, you can seek a divorce on the grounds that your spouse is legally insane. However, one must prove the spouse was mentally ill for at least five years.

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Early Resolution Program Started to Help Streamline Divorce

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

Once a person actually decides that their marriage is no longer salvageable, and a divorce is imminent, the next steps require time and research to find the right attorney and begin the process that will lead to a final and legal decree of divorce. However, a new program in Illinois was established to help reduce some of the time-consuming work that adds stress to the situation.

The Early Resolution Program

The Illinois Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission recently awarded a $15,000 grant to the McHenry County Judicial Court to help fund the activity of its Early Resolution Program. The goal of this new initiative is to help those who require assistance starting their divorce process while making the entire experience more efficient. The Early Resolution Program was created to:

• Help people find an attorney who will represent them in their divorce case.
• Host monthly “problem solving” sessions to deal with procedural questions and paperwork.

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