Having trouble managing your children’s expenses as school starts back up?
Back to School Transitions
Back to school season can be rough for divorced or separated parents. Kids in the Middle offers some tips for transitioning smoothly…
Tax Issues and Divorce
The following is a list of common the tax issues to consider and discuss with your lawyer or tax advisor before finalizing the terms of your agreement.
Divorce Etiquette
On New Years’ Eve this year, in the spirit of ringing out the old and preparing for the new, I decided to clean out my home storage closet, before stashing the Christmas decorations for another year. The last time this project had taken place was never. I dug through boxes of old holiday decorations, Easter baskets, children’s toys, doll house …
What does “no fault” divorce really mean in Missouri?
Conduct does not impact grounds for divorce There is sometimes a misconception that as Missouri is a “no-fault” state, misconduct during a marriage is not relevant. Missouri is a “no-fault” state, but the meaning of “no-fault” is that one only need prove that there is “no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved and that therefore the marriage is …
Is it a Good Idea to Bring a Friend to Your Consultation with Your Lawyer?
An initial consultation with a lawyer, particularly when relating to a family matter, can be a stressful time, making it difficult to think clearly. Some clients ask to bring a friend, sibling or parent to the meeting for assistance or moral support. Although this may seem helpful, it is not always a good idea. Waiving the attorney-client privilege and confidentiality When you bring a …
Is Divorce Mediation Bad for Women?
It is occasionally asked whether mediation is bad for women. The assumption in asking this question is that women may not have the financial acumen or negotiating skills to be able to successfully negotiate to a fair agreement in mediation. There is nothing that is inherently good or bad about mediation for women. The more relevant question is, regardless of …
Mediation Options in the Midst of Litigation
In an ideal divorce mediation process, the couple begins the dissolution of their marriage by meeting with the mediator, rather than with court filings. They work over a series of mediation sessions to gather information, identify interests, generate options and ultimately reach an agreement that works for both of them. Their lawyers support them from the sidelines during the mediation …
Drafting Settlement Agreements
Even the most contentious divorces more often end in an agreement rather than a trial. Therefore it’s as important that your lawyer is as skilled in drafting agreements as in trial practice. Ann Vatterott and I recently authored an article which was published in the spring edition of the Saint Louis Bar Journal directed to practicing attorneys which addresses some …
A Mediation Roadmap
If you are considering mediation, you may be wondering about the details of the process. Each mediation process is as unique as each family. The particular issues and amount of time you will need to spend addressing them will vary depending on your particular situation. The following is a general roadmap of what a mediation process can look like. Initial …