Getting divorced can be one of the hardest and scariest things that you may ever do. For this reason, you should not do it alone. A good lawyer from Springer & Lyle will help you through this difficult time, especially when it comes to dealing with your finances. Here are some financial do's and dont's while you are getting divorced. Do plan ahead. It is important that you still think about your needs during the divorce. This includes, not only how you are going to live now, but in the future. Make sure you plan for your retirement while you are going through your divorce. Don’t … [Read more...]
How Can I Protest My Interests Prior To A Divorce?
The implications and impact divorce can have on your life can be overwhelming. There’s not just the emotional side to deal with, there are often children to think of, housing to sort out and complex legal details. In this time of turmoil, you need compassion, straight talk, and practical solutions. You might be wondering how can I protect my interests prior to a divorce? At Springer and Lyle, we’re here to help you by advocating for you with the best representation possible during this difficult time. Here are some important steps to take when beginning the divorce process. Make Copies of … [Read more...]
My ex won’t pay debts from the divorce and now it’s ruining my credit!
I hear this one frequently and there is no simple, satisfying answer. First, some basics: Your creditors were not parties to your divorce action so they cannot be made to follow the final decree of divorce and only look to the spouse ordered to pay the debt. Creditors and debt collectors will generally go after whomever they think might actually pay regardless of what the decree says. When someone is ordered to do something, like pay a debt on another’s behalf, and they fail to do it, the remedy is usually an enforcement action or some sort of seizure of the asset involved. Generally, … [Read more...]
Can I Afford A Divorce?
You might feel that you can't afford a divorce, but Springer & Lyle might be able to help you and work with you. The fact is that any divorce can be costly, and if you take the risk of representing yourself, your divorce can ultimately be even costlier. Don't Try it on Your Own Most divorce cases will be stressful. There might be considerable tension between the parties, child custody might be contested, income might be hidden to reduce the child support obligation and terms and conditions of visitation can even come to issue. These aren't issues that you want to address alone while … [Read more...]
How To Prepare For A Divorce and Maybe Save Your Marriage
Clients regularly ask us what they can do to prepare for a divorce before it’s filed. Of course some of that varies by situation and we will be happy to give you advice tailored to your situation, but there are some basic steps most people should take and surprisingly these steps go a long way toward improving marriages. Understand your Financial Situation Often there are big disparities in basic understanding about a couple’s budget, debt, and assets. One spouse may be nearly clueless how much is being saved for retirement, how much debt exists, how much money it takes to run the household, … [Read more...]
How Can I Find Out If My Spouse Is Hiding Assets?
Are spouses hiding assets in a divorce? Yes, and frequently. Divorce has never been a pleasant process, but it is the legal approach to the dissolution of a marriage. Unfortunately, experts at Springer & Lyle have found some spouses, soon to be divorced, believe it a necessity not to follow the law and try to hide assets to avoid the sharing of them in the divorce proceedings. Common Methods of Hiding Assets In a divorce, the law requires that every major asset be inventoried. Bank accounts, brokerage accounts, real estate, vehicles and similar must be disclosed. Errant spouses are … [Read more...]
Can I Afford A Divorce?
You might feel that you can't afford a divorce, but Springer & Lyle might be able to help you and work with you. The fact is that any divorce can be costly, and if you take the risk of representing yourself, your divorce can ultimately be even costlier. Don't Try it on Your Own Most divorce cases will be stressful. There might be considerable tension between the parties, child custody might be contested, income might be hidden to reduce the child support obligation and terms and conditions of visitation can even come to issue. These aren't issues that you want to address … [Read more...]
My ex won’t pay debts from the divorce and now it’s ruining my credit!
I hear this one frequently and there is no simple, satisfying answer. First, some basics: Your creditors were not parties to your divorce action so they cannot be made to follow the final decree of divorce and only look to the spouse ordered to pay the debt. Creditors and debt collectors will generally go after whomever they think might actually pay regardless of what the decree says. When someone is ordered to do something, like pay a debt on another’s behalf, and they fail to do it, the remedy is usually an enforcement action or some sort of seizure of the asset involved. Generally, … [Read more...]
Contrasting the Perverse Incentive of Family Law and Collaborative Divorce
The Conflict Incentive There is a dirty secret in some family law cases, one that clients only learn about long after they’ve retained counsel, and sometimes only after they look back at the pain, stress, and expense of their divorce. The secret is that some family lawyers have a perverse incentive. Attorneys bill clients by the hour to solve their problems. That means they get paid more if the clients have more problems. Quite simply, lawyers have an economic incentive to create conflict to bill the file. Sure they have a lawyers’ creed that says they will be reasonable and advocate … [Read more...]
How To Prepare For A Divorce And Maybe Save Your Marriage
Clients regularly ask us what they can do to prepare for a divorce before it’s filed. Of course some of that varies by situation and we will be happy to give you advice tailored to your situation, but there are some basic steps most people should take and surprisingly these steps go a long way toward improving marriages. Understand your Financial Situation Often there are big disparities in basic understanding about a couple’s budget, debt, and assets. One spouse may be nearly clueless how much is being saved for retirement, how much debt exists, how much money it takes to run the household, … [Read more...]