DEAR LESLIE, How does the law navigate the divorce proceeding of an open marriage? – Ms. Open Minded Dear Ms. Open Minded…, When a couple decides to get married, they are making a legal commitment in the eyes of the law that is considered monogamous, unless you live in a state that permits polygamy. The marriage commitment is both emotional and financial. When a couple decides to divorce, it is the division of the couple’s…
DEAR LESLIE, I’m unhappy with my divorce lawyer. What should I do? Is it in my best interest to change my representation? – Looking for More Dear Looking for More.., Let’s face it, the ending of a marriage is fraught with a wide range of emotions and going through the process of divorce is a challenging and stressful time – having the right lawyer can make a big difference. While going through the divorce process,…
DEAR LESLIE, I am divorcing my husband of 15 years plus. Just before the coronavirus struck, we were able to file for a divorce, however, we still live under the same roof – a reality I have yet to adjust to. Please share your advice. – Breaking point Breaking point… Here are my tips for navigating the coronavirus, divorce and cohabiting. Keep your distance while living in the same house. This may be somewhat impossible,…
DEAR LESLIE, How Can I Avoid My Partner’s Debt Should We Marry? – Debtless Dear Debtless… This question is often asked in relation to credit card debt. Similar to the money that you earned before getting married, which belongs to the individual that earned it, debt acquired before the marriage belongs to that individual as well. The key here is not to co-mingle your premarital debt i.e., becoming an authorized user on your spouse’s credit…
If you are the “other woman” in your relationship, you probably fell for him without knowing he or she had another life. When you met, he/she had no wedding band, was always available to talk, and he/she wined and dined you eventually, though, his secret came out, and yet, you did not leave. At first, you stayed believing that the relationship you “built” was so strong and so right that he would leave his other…
Life after divorce is, at times, viewed as terrifying due mostly to the unknown of what is to come. Where will I live, and what will I do? Who will I become? Truthfully the only way to shake this fear is to take a hands-on approach to plan your future and make the unknown familiar. It is often easier said than done, but with the help of others can be less challenging than perceived. To…
Navigating the custody or shared custody amidst the coronavirus can be tricky. Are you prepared for the second wave of lockdowns and quarantines? The first wave of lockdowns and quarantines led many divorced couples to deal with the unexpected issues arising out of their otherwise successful custody arrangements. Depending on the custody agreement, the unexpected coronavirus pandemic could have had a significant impact on either arrangement. Perhaps your arrangement is traditional, with one parent having…
With the school year already underway for some and nearing for others, many parents find themselves disillusioned by last Spring’s virtual learning experience and are looking for an alternative. While the government’s proposal of in-person learning at traditional institutions appears to be a controversial choice, the idea of “pod schooling” has peaked and is viewed more favorably among care-givers and educators alike. Pod schools, a group of three to 10 students under the instruction of a…
DEAR LESLIE, With the Smiths in the headlines recently, I’m wondering is a life partnership the key to a successful marriage, but most importantly, what does a life partnership look like to today’s couple? – Asking for a friend Dear Asking for a Friend.., Firstly, I want to applaud Will and Jada Pinkett Smith for their successful marriage, life partnership, and willingness to be brutally honest with each other as to what works and what…
Handling an unexpected divorce can be a harrowing experience. While things between you and your spouse may not have been perfect, you weren’t expecting to be served with divorce papers, now what? Identify the paperwork First, do not panic. Look at the papers and see if your spouse filed with a Summons and Complaint or just a Summons with Notice, regardless look at the end of the document served or on the face of the…
DEAR LESLIE, If I initiated the divorce, am I responsible for the cost? – Prefer to Not Pay Dear Prefer to Not Pay, Generally, the person who initiates the divorce proceedings by filing a Summons and Complaint for Divorce (known as the Plaintiff), is responsible for the court filing fees associated with processing the divorce through the courts. These fees include the cost of the Summons and Complaint to obtain a Court Index#, the cost…
DEAR LESLIE, What are three tell-tale signs of a good divorce lawyer? – I’m Curious… Dear, I’m Curious…, This is a great question, Caryn. Choosing a good divorce lawyer as well as the right divorce lawyer to represent you is very important as your lawyer will be your voice throughout the process. Hiring a divorce lawyer that is good at accomplishing your goals will depend on the type of divorce lawyer you choose to represent…