There is a difference between physical separation (moving out) and legal separation (getting a court order that you are separated).  You may file a petition in court for legal separation if you are planning to be separated for a long time and want the court to address support, property or debts during the separation.  You […]

Being married gives people certain legal rights. Many of these legal rights don’t become important until the couple splits up. If there is a marriage, whether it is a “regular” marriage or a common law marriage, when the couple splits up they can get a divorce. In a divorce, the court can decide who is […]

What happens when you own a house with a significant other (not a spouse)?  Who gets the property when their relationship fizzles out?  Thankfully, it doesn’t come down to who can remain in the house the longest or the flip of a coin, but rather through an equitable Court proceeding called a PARTITION.  The word […]

When I talk to a new client, they may have questions about joint custody, how much child support will be, or what will happen to the house.  But regardless of what topics they want to discuss, they all really want the same thing – a plan.  Even though most people have talked to someone who […]

If the child is in danger, there are options to get in front of a judge quickly to determine if you have the right to custody of the child.  If the child is not in danger, but the other parent is violating a court order to deprive you of your time with the child, they […]

Mediation is an important part of a divorce, but it does not replace getting the court involved in your case.  You will still have to open a case with the court, wait the required 90 days, and get a final order to achieve divorce.  But, if you agree on all of the issues, we can […]