How Is Child Support Calculated?
Many factors are considered when calculating the amount of child support during the divorce process. Every state has its own guidelines and algorithms to determine a base amount, and the Court may provide for additional expenses not automatically included. To give a general idea of how child support is calculated, we will look at guidelines from two sample states – California and...
Read MoreChoosing Independence Over An Unhappy Dependent Marriage
Even when you are in an unhappy marriage, deciding to divorce is never easy. It is all the more difficult when you feel emotionally or financially dependent on your spouse. Fear of being unable to take care of yourself without the help of your spouse can be immobilizing. If this sounds like you, I would encourage you to really analyze your situation and consider ways to overcome this fear. I...
Read MoreHow I Budgeted For My Legal Separation – A Client’s Story
Whether a couple is going through a divorce or opting for a legal separation, finances are always an issue to be dealt with. Getting a clear picture of your financial situation, and then figuring out how to budget for the legal work and the change in living expenses is critical. In this article we are sharing the experience of one of our clients regarding finances and budgeting when she decided...
Read MoreFinancial Planning For Divorce: The Long-Term View
For many people going through the stress and pain of divorce, there is a tendency to think only of the immediate future when dealing with financial issues surrounding the divorce. When faced with financial decisions they often say they “don’t care”, they just want to get the whole thing over with. But without proper analysis and planning, the financial ramifications of decisions made during...
Read MorePreparing Financially For Divorce
Divorce is emotionally devastating, and if you don’t prepare properly it could be financially devastating as well. If you are anticipating a divorce, it is time to figure out your finances. Here are the basic steps to preparing financially for divorce. 1) Gather as much documentation as you can. The types of document to gather (originals or copies) include your most recent: Tax returns (last...
Read MoreDivorce: Providing Emotional Support For Children
Parents who are considering divorce have many questions, but one of the big ones I hear in my Divorce With Dignity office is, “How can I help my children get through this?” Providing emotional support for the children, both during and after a divorce, is essential to their well-being. It is very important to get them some help whether or not they show signs of stress. Many children will hold...
Read MoreMoving Out: A Client’s Divorce Story
A short time ago I posted a blog called “Living Arrangements During And After Your Divorce”, and today’s blog is the same topic on a more personal level. One of my clients, who I’ll call “Amy” (not her real name), agreed to tell us a little of her story. For many people, living arrangements during the divorce process are dictated by financial concerns and they opt to stay in the same...
Read MoreHow Much Does A Divorce Cost?
How much does a divorce cost? Well, that depends. A lot of factors can affect the cost of a divorce, such as what state you live in, whether you plan to hire attorneys, whether you live in a large city (divorce lawyers are more expensive in larger cities), and how much you and your spouse disagree on issues regarding the divorce settlement. If you decide to litigate in divorce court, then both...
Read MoreDivorced Parents: Minimizing Conflicts In Shared Custody
Divorce is hard enough – but then divorced parents often have to contend with shared custody conflicts. These conflicts can arise from miscommunications, misunderstandings, or just forgetfulness about aspects of the agreement. How can divorced parents minimize these conflicts and make life easier on themselves and their children? One tool that can help is an Internet-based program called...
Read MoreWorking with a divorce coach
Because every divorce is unique, Divorce With Dignity takes a holistic approach to helping our clients through the divorce process. In addition to our work with clients to help them resolve issues, work out fair divorce settlements, and to assist them in filing the necessary divorce papers, we also counsel with them to determine what other outside help they may need in creating their new life....
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