During a divorce case, the two spouses will typically break down assets and debts and split them evenly between the two. Things get a little more complicated when alimony and child support are involved.

Learn about the differences between alimony and child support. See how the two intertwine with each other and how to seek out the payment agreement for the options available. Once you have a clear understanding of the two, you will have the skills to communicate with your lawyer and understand the process much easier.

What Is Alimony?
Also known as spousal support, alimony is the payments made to a former spouse to support the same lifestyle and living conditions once shared before as a couple. Alimony is often a request made by the person who did not work or made less as part of the couple.

Have you or your former spouse filed a child custody and visitation case? No doubt that you have queries about the hearing process. You could even be worried about what awaits you ahead. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the questions you have. Hopefully, this information will help you get prepared and put your mind at ease.

Are Judges More Likely to Grant Primary Legal Custody to the Moms Than Dads?

No. Under the code of conduct for US judges, judges are required to perform their duties without bias. Gender stereotypes won’t influence the jury’s final decision.

Jail time, probation, community service, and fines are all punishments for crimes, which deters most people from breaking the law. However, in cases with repetitive problems, and one way to prevent future crimes is with orders to protect victims. If you would like to know more, keep reading to learn more about restraining, protective, and no-contact orders.

1. Restraining Order

A restraining order is designed to protect a potential victim. For this reason, they can be issued even before a crime has been committed. In most cases, they are not usually used for abusive situations, but they can deter future abusive situations if the restraining order is taken seriously

People generally don’t consider divorce lightly. However, once the thought of divorce even pops up in people’s heads, they’re generally in a high-stress mindset within their marriage. Clarity of thought is hard to come by at that stage.

If you’re in that situation, a selection of empowering questions may help you get that clarity. Empowering questions are those that provoke thought and help a person look for answers rather than make emotional reactions. Keep reading for a selection of empowering questions to ask as you consider divorce.

The legal determination of paternity enables men to protect their right to share in the joy of raising their child. The benefits of testing can also extend to the child in many ways. Here is what all fathers should know about why they should do all they can to prove paternity, particularly when they aren’t married to the child’s mother.

Testing Not Always Needed

DNA testing gives conclusive evidence of a relationship, but it is not always necessary. The state of New Mexico assumes that the husband of a woman who gives birth is the father if the child is born within 300 days of their marriage. Unmarried parents can also notify the state with an Acknowledgment of Paternity form filed with the vital statistics bureau.

Financial matters rank at the top of the list of worries for anyone during a divorce. The concern of one less income and the potential need to replace belongings can make people wonder about their future bank account balance. Knowing what assets are at risk — before filing paperwork or negotiating an agreement — can make planning for the future easier.

Balances of Bank Accounts

Marital property usually includes all items purchased and any money earned during the marriage. The money kept in bank accounts, even if the couple keeps separate accounts in their names, is marital property. The court will usually include the balance of the accounts at the time of the divorce filing as a cash asset to divide.

According to CBS News, approximately 30% of payments are not being paid at all and less than half are paid in full. This has created a nation-wide child support deficit of $10 billion.

If you’re owed child support, it can be difficult to figure out what you can do to remedy the situation. And, with so many parents in a similar situation, you may wonder if it’s even worth it. It is! The truth is, you can do a handful of different things to get your ex to start paying what they owe.

The ending of a marriage is always a challenging time. But when you are also struggling with a chronic illness, it’s even more complicated. How can you successfully navigate your divorce while maintaining your health as much as possible? Here are five key ways.

Your divorce attorney is going to be a key part of your divorce team, so start out by being honest with them about your health and emotional issues. Let the legal team know what your symptoms are, what treatment you are currently going through, how your energy or daily activities are affected, and how it may impact your ability to meet certain obligations (like meetings about your case).

By being open with your lawyer, he or she can also help you identify ways that your health should impact your divorce claim and ways that you can make the actual legal process easier on your body.

When you are married, making medical decisions for a minor child can be rather straightforward. But when you are divorced, the medical decisions that are made for your child can become a point of contention and can even lead to a change in custody.

Sole Legal Custody

When the courts award sole legal custody, only one parent has custody of the minor. When one parent does not have custody, he or she still has the right to be told about the medical decisions that the other parent makes on behalf of the child.

Divorce is never easy, but it can be especially difficult to navigate when children are involved. Do you anticipate a rough child custody fight in your future? If so, you’ll want to make sure you go in prepared for any contingency. Here are some tips to keep in mind to get through this difficult process.

Make Sure You Attempt a Settlement If Possible

When going through a divorce with children involved, you need to put your kids ahead of your own personal emotions. You might be angry at the other side, but your personal vendetta won’t improve your children’s situation.

If you can keep the worst of the custody battle out of court, you owe it to your kids to do so. Reach out to the other side to at least see if they are willing to sit down with you and talk it out. You don’t have to like your spouse, but you do have to view them as the father or mother of your children and someone who might be a part of your life for years to come.