Adults who get married and start families often spend time thinking about what will happen to their loved ones if anything happens to them. They may put together an estate plan to provide clarity about their personal wishes and protection for their immediate family...
When a couple decides to end their marriage, one of the most significant potential areas of dispute is the division of property or marital assets. Each state has its own set of laws dictating how property should be distributed in the event of a contentious divorce,...
Establishing paternity can be important for numerous reasons. For one thing, it can simply protect the relationship between a parent and a child. There could also be financial considerations, especially if one person needs to pay child support. How can you actually...
When a couple decides that they would like to adopt a child, the state needs to ensure that the adoption is actually right for that couple and for the child involved. Part of this process includes doing a home study. The couple that has applied for adoption will have...
Filing for divorce will mean big financial changes for your household, not the least of which will involve changing where you live or sharing your home equity with your spouse. Your most valuable resources may all end up subject to division in your divorce...
One of the tensest points of child custody is determining when the child will spend time with each parent. While it’s hard enough to come up with the standard arrangement, the holidays are even more complex. Parents who are going through their first holiday season...
You may already feel like the parent of your stepchild, especially if you have had a blended family for years. The longer you have been with your spouse, the more time and personal resources you have likely invested in the care and upbringing of your stepchild....
You have been financially dependent on your spouse for the last few years of your marriage, the idea of separating can be very intimidating. After all, you don't have a career to support yourself with currently and may not have many assets held solely in your name....
Some men have immediate legal protection after the birth of their child because of their marital status. In Florida, married men automatically have parental rights, including the right to have their name included on the birth certificate. Unmarried fathers have the...
Divorce is a time of uncertainty, as you don't know what a judge will rule or how your ex will react to the process. There are certain things you simply cannot predict unless you have an ironclad prenuptial agreement with your spouse. However, you can develop a better...