Living in today’s world is an expensive proposition. It seems there are frequent news stories about increases in the cost of food, housing, and medical care that far outpace the average person’s earnings. Unfortunately, many of the rising costs are for necessities that cannot be avoided, and if a person suffers a major accident or...

The process of divorce leaves many with emotional scars that only heal with the passage of time. One aspect that is particularly trying is waiting for the court to issue the final divorce decree that indicates the marriage is no more, and that the legal process has reached its end. Of course, the real work...

Divorce is a traumatic and painful process that often leaves both spouses feeling emotionally exposed and vulnerable. It is difficult to acknowledge that a marriage did not succeed, and see the effects of a split household on one’s children. This sense of exposure is furthered by having to discuss intimate personal and financial details with...

Sharing parenting responsibilities with an ex-spouse or partner will inevitably create tension and disagreement at some point. Even married couples disagree about childrearing, so navigating this issue following a divorce is an even trickier proposition. One way the law tries to mitigate disputes over child custody and visitation is to require parties that share custody...

Working through disagreements over child custody or time-sharing schedules is a process frequently fraught with frustration and conflict. Understandably, neither parent wants to relinquish control of a child, and even when custody is shared, one parent must accept that he or she cannot direct the other parent’s parenting style. However, in order to keep the...

Besides offering longer days and more opportunities for outdoor fun, summer is also typically moving season in much of the country. This timing has a lot to do with the weather and children being out school. Parents realize the difficulty children generally have with big transitions, and try to make sure that any relocation is...

It would be logical to think that once the a person makes the decision to file for bankruptcy, one of the more agonizing aspects of the process is over, but there is still one very important hurdle to overcome – figuring out which chapter of bankruptcy a person is qualified to file. Chapter 7 is...

Ask any parent what the most significant relationship is in his or her life, and most will respond with the unique and unbreakable bond he or she has with a child. The parent-child relationship is supremely complex and at times difficult, but few parents would trade the experience for anything else. This strong connection explains...

Anyone thinking about filing for bankruptcy is likely dealing with an almost daily influx of information and demands sent through the mail or communicated over the phone. This mounting pile of information can easily overwhelm a person as he or she tries to figure out when and how to respond. Bankruptcy is a process that...

Feeling overwhelmed by unpaid bills and calls from debt collectors is an extremely stressful situation that seemingly has no end or solution. No one intends to get in over his or her head financially, but unanticipated events such as job loss or major illness can significantly impact one’s ability to earn sufficient income. While these...