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Does divorce hurt your credit score? The quick answer is “yes.” But only in some situations. Your credit score is not automatically affected by your divorce. The Clerk of Court does not notify the credit bureaus that you are no longer married. Your credit score is hurt when your debts are not paid in a timely manner. At the end…
Florida law has long required divorcing couples with children to attend a “Parent Education and Family Stabilization” class aimed at educating the parents about the special challenges that await children of those divorcing couples. Parents involved in a paternity case are also required to take the class. In Duval County, this class, Children First in Divorce, has been offered by…
A High Conflict Divorce is a divorce where the parties are essentially at war and use their lawyers and the court system as their weapons. The parties typically recognize (or are told) very early in the process that waging this type of “war” will be very expensive. They don’t care. A recent article discusses some of the traits common to…
School’s out for the summer. That means it’s time for family vacations. Unfortunately, that often means stress for parents and children. The following tips may help the parents avoid conflict and allow the children to have a better vacation. To try to avoid the stress of summer vacation, consider the following tips: Plan your trips well in advance. Don’t wait…
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal discussed a new study of the diets of men and women after divorce. The researchers assessed the health of 11,577 people who ranged in age from 40 to 80. The participant’s health was assessed from 1993 to 1997 and a second time from 1998 to 2002. As part of the assessment, the participants…
Divorce is difficult for children of any age. However, due to the potential for risky behavior in response to their parent’s divorce, teenage children present a unique set of concerns. The following is a list of “Do’s” and “Don’t” to think about as you try to get your teen through a difficult time. What Not to Do Don’t talk bad…
Often there is confusion surrounding a marital home in a divorce case. There are two different things to consider: the deed to your home – i.e. who has the legal right to live there, and the mortgage on your home – i.e. who has the legal obligation to pay for the home. At a final hearing, a judge can decide…
No one other than you can answer the question, “Should I get a divorce?” The effects of a divorce will be felt for many years – longer if you have children with your spouse. While there may be many questions you need to ask yourself, the following questions are a good start: Have you done everything you can to try…
As our mobile phones and social media become increasingly integrated into our lives, the danger exists that these technologies could be used against you in court. By now, most everyone has heard of the FBI’s attempt to have Apple unlock a terrorist’s iPhone. What most people don’t consider is there own digital life – or footprint – and how it…
Whether you pay or receive alimony, the tax implications of alimony are far-reaching. Generally, alimony is taxable as income to the recipient and tax-deductible for the payor. However, the IRS is not bound by a state court order that labels a payment from one party to another as alimony. Simple labeling a payment as alimony in a divorce order is…