10 Ways to Make Visitation after Divorce Easier
Divorce, just like Child Custody after divorce is a tough experience that takes a toll on all family members, particularly the children. However, as parents, your main focus should be to collaborate and continue to parent together for the sake of your children. Your kids needs to feel comfortable about the new arrangements, and the more cooperative you are, the better the visits will be for everyone. Also, parenting as a team ensures that the divorce won’t have any negative, long lasting effects on your children.
If you’ve just been divorced and you’re finding it difficult to cope with visitation, here are some tips to help you navigate through this process.
1. Create a Positive Atmosphere
Your children need to feel cared for and comfortable during this transition. As parents, learn to connect with your kids on a personal level and celebrate their independent choices. Also, make sure that no parent is discussed in a negative way as kids are loyal to both parents, Kids should not feel conflicted when talking to one parent about the other parent.
By creating a positive environment, you reassure your kids that you still have their best interests at heart despite the circumstances.
2. Avoid Arguing in front of The Children
Arguing is uncomfortable to watch for everyone. Avoid arguing during visits. Remember that visitation is a time to focus on your children and as parents, it’s your duty to make this transition as smooth as possible. You can have a separate time to deal with your differences. Alternatively, you can have a session with a mediator to resolve any underlying issues.
3. Create a Visitation Calendar
Each home should have a calendar that outlines parenting time visits, weekday dinners, sleep overs, school events, and more. Set realistic expectations for time spent together. A calendar makes a confusing schedule easier to manage as well as predictable, especially if you have young children.4. Phone Calls and Phone Numbers
As a parent, make sure that your child has contact information of both parents, caregivers, and close family members. Let them know that it’s okay to stay in touch with the other parent. In addition, allow your kids to make calls to the other parent in case of an exciting sports day or in instances like saying goodnight.
5. Encourage Familiar Items
Children get attached to certain items at home. Allow them to bring these familiar items when visiting as this will make the process easier for them. These items could be a favorite book, blanket, or a stuffed animal.
6. Respect Their Preferences
Visitation can be tricky especially in instances where you prefer something and your child would rather do the opposite. If this happens, try to accommodate your child’s needs but don’t force your preferences on them. Learn to respect their individuality and ensure that they feel comfortable, cared for, and most importantly, valued.
7. Be Prompt
Being on time reassures your kids that you still value them and that you’re doing everything to make the process smooth. During this time, do away with all the distractions. Your main focus should be to make your children the priority. Take part in a game they’re playing or go out and have some quality time together.
Also, you could try and stick to the same routine your children had before you got divorced. For example, if you used to read them their favorite story after dinner, you should ensure this still happens during visitations.
8. Talk to Your Children about Their Feelings
Children may sometimes wish to talk about how they feel about the divorce. Encourage them to express their feelings in an honest way, even if they are negative. Letting your children voice their concerns around you will make them more comfortable.
9. Be Flexible With Your Schedule
Sometimes things happen that are beyond our abilities. If you happen to miss a visitation, ensure that the other parent is given a prior notice. Additionally, if you were supposed to pick the kids up, but something is going on, be flexible and instead change the visitation to another time that suits both parties.
10. Review the Arrangement and Make the Necessary Adjustments
Your child custody agreement should change as your kids grow. Sit down and assess how the arrangement is working for both of you and make the necessary changes if your children have now grown. You can start with small changes to ensure that everyone is comfortable.
Parenting after a divorce is never easy. However, going into it with an open mind and being in constant communication makes the process easier for both the parents and children. The above tips will help ensure that the transition is smooth.
Tags: Attorney, Child Custody, Divorce, Divorce Attorney Knoxville TN, Divorce lawyer, Family law, finances after a divorce, How to file for divorce
“Until death do us part” is not always possible especially when it comes to unhappiness and conflict in a marriage. Sometimes the healthiest path is by way of separation and divorce. If you and your partner decide that there is no way of working things out in your marriage and the word divorce gets passed around, there are several things to consider before you dissolve your union.
Hire a good divorce lawyer
The very first thing you should do when divorce is imminent is consult a divorce lawyer. A professional can give you advice on how to file for divorce as well as help understand what you are legally allowed to do. You want to make sure you are covered for any eventuality and know your rights and repercussions of any step you take, especially if there are children involved. If you do have dependent children, hire a lawyer with experience in family law, as the legal issues around custody can get tricky. A good divorce lawyer will help you navigate the unfamiliar waters you now find yourself in and will guarantee that no misstep is taken that will cost you something down the line. The type of divorce you decide to proceed with is also an important detail that a good divorce lawyer can help with.
Tell your family
The very next step is to tell your immediate family, especially your children. Your life is about to get a lot more complicated, so take care of the hardest part first so you can focus your energy on getting the job done. There should never be any animosity between partners when dealing with the children as you will need to show stability and strength during the break up. Your kids’ welfare should be the most important thing to consider during this difficult time. Understand the family law around custody in your area before making any decisions on living arrangements or routines so you don’t promise your children anything you can’t follow through on. You also don’t want to make any plans that could hurt you in court should the battle heat up and go to litigation.
Make copies of all financial documents
You will need to take copies of all of the shared household files including bank statements, benefit statements, life insurance policies, any property titles for a car or boat, all tax returns and RRSP information. Make copies of all of it including anything that you have electronically on a home computer or tablet. Your divorce lawyer will need all of this to get a better understanding of where you are financially.
Make a list of all assets
It is important to have a good understanding of what assets the household owns and how liquid they are should you need to sell them and split the proceeds. Assets include cars, home, cottage or boat, but also any jewelry, furniture, electronics, computers, and any other property that was purchased during the marriage. You should try to find receipts that detail when the items were bought and for how much, as well as the potential value now to get an overall picture of the amounts you are dealing with for settling the property.
Make a list of all debts
It is very important to make a list of debt incurred during the marriage and how much debt was brought into the marriage by either partner. Debts that you or your spouse might have held before your union is considered “non-marital debt” and is the responsibility of whomever it belonged to. It might be a good idea to speak to your partner about debt repayment before beginning formal proceedings, as it can take up a lot of time and end up costing more in legal fees. If talks beforehand are unlikely, then make as clear a list as possible of what debts you have, when they were incurred and who incurred them, and repayment schedules.
Know what money is coming into the household
Find out what your spouse’s income is, especially if they own their own business. Any income tax returns should give you an indication of previous year’s income. You may want to keep track of all money coming in and going out through your bank statements for a few months so you can get an overall view. It is very important to have a clear understanding of shared finances while you are still married especially if there is inequity between salaries.
Whether your divorce is a simple dissolution of a union between two childless people with little property or an established family with dependents and property, you must always consult with a divorce lawyer before making any decisions. Laws around divorce and family law differ from state to state and a good attorney can give you advice on the next steps to take and advice on how to gather all of the necessary information you need to protect yourself.
Tags: Divorce, Divorce lawyer, Family law, How to file for divorce
Financial Recovery After Divorce
Though the negative financial effects of a divorce can be a hard situation for any person to go through, the outcome can vary greatly depending on many situation such as Financial status, Job Status, and Custody Status. Prenups are also a major factor, as well as the court’s determination of whether one party has acted egregiously. When all is said and done, it is possible that both people will have to begin the process of financial recovery after a divorce – but in different ways.
You may hear or read advice that uses the term “rebuilding” your finances after a divorce. This is wrongly used in many cases because there are situations where one or both parties can break even or come out ahead financially. “Recovery” is a much better word because the combination of plans made and community property will be divided, many times unequally. Therefore, recovery can be more of a challenge for one party than the other.
The first thing to do is to circle your financial wagons. Determine how much you will have to pay to the other person for monthly alimony and/or child support. Consider it as a monthly bill like your rent or utility bills. Since many families have depended on two wage earners to mete expenses, it is important to recognize there is only one after the divorce. If a prenup exists, remember that it will be just a piece of paper once the court has divvied up the assets and property of the marriage. Financially recovering from a divorce can be especially difficult if you are not employed for any reason and have to assume all the financial responsibilities as a result.
Once you have taken stock of all your financial assets, you need to protect the assets you have. This will likely mean you will hire an attorney and a financial advisor – one to protect your assets and the other to manage them. One of the best sources for finding a lawyer and financial advisor who can be trusted is the recommendation of a trusted friend or colleague. Going it alone is highly discouraged as you will be going through emotional turmoil in addition to adjusting to a whole new lifestyle.
Specifically, you will need to divorce yourself from your ex-spouse on all financial connections – credit cards, loans, joint property holdings that have not been settled through the divorce, etc. It is not the time to be nice because you are likely to be putting your own financial future at risk by staying connected. Legally you are not a couple, and that applies financially as well. Divorces are very often painful experiences, and maintaining financial connections only presents an opportunity for muddying up the waters now and in the future.
There are two basic categories you will find yourself in – financial survival or financial management. If you have a good job and are able to hit the ground running after the divorce, then it is a matter of protecting what you have – and what you expect have. Survival is more difficult, especially if you do not have a job and have to make child support or alimony payments. You will need to establish a foundation to get financially stable, which means having a place to live, money for food, and a way to look for and get to a job. You will not be able to move forward without a dependable source of income – or perhaps more than one source.
If you are in the position to focus on the management of your finances, then act like you are married. Avoid falling into the trap where because you are now single you can easily afford the child support or alimony payments, that you do not have to plan for the future. In fact, the truth is the opposite of the perception. If you have children you will want to be prepared to help them along the way, which includes sending them to college. If you plan to marry again, which many people do, then you will want a more secure financial future (with the requisite prenup at the appropriate time) – and the time to start is now.
If you are the one who is awarded primary custody of the children, recovering from a divorce is likely to be more of a challenge. The most common reason is that it is very difficult to plan your financial affairs because there are always unexpected expenses or emergencies that will come up that involve the children, forcing you to either scuttle or revise your financial plans. The best approach for such situations is to put away as much cash as possible in liquid assets, such as bank accounts, and only when your new lifestyle is established and there is a fixed monthly income-expense pattern will it be safe to move forward – slowly. A passive income source is a good way to shorten the time between divorce and having financial wiggle room.
The key to successfully recovering financially after a divorce is to make as few changes to your daily routine as possible. Do not quit your job, relocate, or become socially reclusive. There is a time for everything, but that time is not supposed to negatively affect you, especially in the financial arena. Many people find that professionals such as attorneys and financial advisors can keep you afloat during the worst times after a divorce. Consider them to be both resources and assets to create a new foundation for financial recovery.
Tags: Attorney, Divorce, finances after a divorce, Financial management
Top Three Reasons To Hire A Divorce Lawyer
It is sensible to hire a divorce lawyer rather than representing yourself in any divorce case. The three important reasons for hiring a divorce lawyer include : lawyers have more knowledge about the matrimonial laws and family court proceedings, a lawyer can present a wide range of options to consider and he/she will be able to take care of paperwork efficiently.
If you right at the beginning of the divorce process then it is better to hire a divorce lawyer rather than considering representing yourself. The Divorce process can be extremely complicated and confusing which can be hard to understand by oneself. So having a divorce lawyer is a sensible solution as he or she will be able to breakdown all the benefits, features and things which will be beneficial or not so good for you in the long term. Here are three great reasons to hire a divorce lawyer right from the start while dealing with divorce.
Knowledge about matrimonial law and proceeding at family court
If you choose to represent yourself in family court then you will not get any special treatment or be seen the same as a lawyer. You may also have problems in your attempt to clarify your own stand due to lack of knowledge related to the matrimonial law and family court proceedings. Family lawyers are known to be experts at handing proceeding at family court and have a better understanding of matrimonial laws. Hiring a divorce lawyer will help you in being prepared for facing questions and expressing your needs and requirements in a sound fashion.
A Divorce attorney can suggest options
A divorce attorney will be able to evaluate the situation and can offer some incredible options for you. Giving their experience they will be able to offer a wide range of options in order to settle your case in the most favorable and beneficial manner. Representing yourself will not showcase these options rather it will end up in increasing the delay for the right kind of judgment. Another dilemma faced by people representing themselves is whether or not to take the settlement proposal offer by the other side.
The Divorce process has a lot of paperwork
Going through the divorce process you will be overwhelmed by the wide amount of paperwork which has to be filled with the court. Hiring a divorce lawyer will help in dealing with wide range paperwork in the most efficient manner. It should be noted that producing complete paperwork is crucial in the divorce process as it can have a considerable amount of impact on the outcome of the case.
Tags: Attorney, Divorce, Divorce Attorney Knoxville TN, Divorce Knoxville, Knoxville
Preventing Child Relocation After Divorce
Families get torn apart on a daily basis. However that doesn’t mean the children should have to suffer because of it. After a divorce is finalized and the custody of the child or children has been given to one of the parents, oftentimes, said parents have thoughts about relocating. The parent usually wants to move to receive a brand new start away from the pain and chaos of their divorce. They feel like by moving, they can start all over again or they might be moving for a chance at a new romance, to be closer to other family members, or as a career choice.
Relocation after a divorce has become a very common issue. Children should not be torn away from their homes, families, and all they have ever known. It is not fair to the children or the parent that they might be taken away from. Hire a Knoxville family attorney to prevent your children from moving far away from you. There are many people constantly working to make sure that family law in Knoxville stays fair and keeps all family close to their children.
One of the first things that can be done to avoid relocation is to include a notice provision into the settlement agreement and the Divorce Decree. Finding the best child custody lawyer takes top priority, a good lawyer can help parents to come to a peaceful settlement and help write a Divorce Decree that both parties are happy with.
A notice provision states that if a parent is planning on moving out of state, they must notify the other partner in advance. This lets both parents have the time to attempt to work something out that is agreeable to both of them, but if an agreement cannot be reached, the other parent has enough time to object to a family court. Some parents may want to consider a final “no-relocation” clause in their Divorce Decree. This would prevent the guardian from moving the child a certain distance away from their current home without the other parent agreeing to it.
A Knoxville Divorce Attorney are here to help you prevent your child from being relocated away from you. Family law in Knoxville is determined to keep your family close to you. Denna Middleton is the best child custody lawyer that anyone could ask for. It is the hope of our family law Office in Knoxville that every child not be separated from either of their loving parents.
Pick the right person to handle your family custody case today! Contact Us Now
Tags: Attorney, Divorce, Divorce Attorney Knoxville TN, Divorce Knoxville, Knoxville
Value of Prenup Agreements
Prenuptial agreements, shortly known as prenup agreements are legal contracts entered into before the marriage takes place. These legal agreements usually include the following provisions:
- Proposals for the asset distribution in the event of divorce or death.
- Determining the distinctions between marital properties subject to distribution as well as separate properties which every party retains.
- Protecting one spouse from the debts of the other spouse
- Waiving or predetermining spousal support which includes the duration or amount of spousal support.
- Protecting estate plans.
- Protecting income against considered marital assets.
- Protecting children from the previous marriage.
- Protecting confidentiality
Prenuptial agreements can actually go so far in order to protect the rights of individuals in case marriage will no longer work out. Without such agreement, which particularly delineates how assets must be distributed, the titled spouse owning the assets before the marriage is the only one legally entitled to keep the ownership of properties that are separately owned in the event of divorce.
The Significance of Prenup Agreements
There are common misconceptions that prenup agreements benefit only the wealthy ones. However, law reports highlighted that the value of prenup agreements can be enjoyed by wider population. Individuals can benefit from these agreements in the following ways:
- Couples are able to meet their needs independently.
- When a party has particular assets to protect like business assets or inherited wealth.
- Where one party anticipates obtaining wealth after the marriage
- Overseas couples coming from the place where prenup agreements are commonplace.
- Couples with children from past marriage or relationship. This ensures that properties are passed to these children.
Seek Legal Help from Knoxville Divorce Attorney
If you are in Knoxville and you are thinking about your marriage and your desire to avoid unnecessary stress in worst case scenarios, Knoxville divorce attorney can help you protect your own assets. If you need legal advice about prenup agreements and other divorce related issues, you can contact this knowledgeable attorney to help you gain clearer understanding and know your rights as well.
Knoxville divorce attorney specializes in prenuptial agreement which is said to be an excellent tool in establishing financial rights of every spouse during unfortunate event of divorce. Prenuptial agreements are also tools to secure personal assets, family business and welfare of children. You might be required to have a qualified attorney by your side so it would be best to call the best, Knoxville divorce attorney when the need arises. This Knoxville divorce attorney is expert in different areas covered by the Family Law such as divorce, prenuptial agreements and more.
If you want to ensure the protection of your children or you are planning to remarry, a highly experienced Knoxville divorce attorney can help you deal with all legal forms including prenuptial agreements. This attorney is highly efficient when it comes to handling all the legal documents related to the prenup agreement. If you have any doubt or there is something bothering your mind about this agreement, you can ask your Knoxville attorney and let him explain for you to gain clearer understanding.
Contact The Law Offices Of Denna Middleton Today!
Tags: Attorney, Divorce, Divorce Attorney Knoxville TN, Divorce Knoxville, Knoxville
