Feb 20, 2023 | Divorce, Family Law
Divorce can be a draining and emotional process which can leave you feeling pretty down and depressed. These feelings can begin to seep into other parts of your life, especially if you’re a co-parenting. Co-parenting depression can be rough on both you and your kids. Therefore, it’s helpful to know some methods which make things easier for everyone and can help you bounce back…
Co-Parenting Depression: Emotional Impact of Divorce
Have shared house rules
Something which can make your co-parenting depression worse is a lack of shared rules. It can be extremely tough for you when your kids forget how to behave because you and your ex don’t share any basic rules. Plus, this makes It harder for your kids to learn what kind of behavior is acceptable or not. Therefore, you’ll want to have some rules which you both enforce.
For example, maybe you can both agree on certain bedtimes. You may also be able to find common ground on when they should do their homework, time they get to spend on electronics, etc. While not every rule has to be the same, just having a few in common can make things go smoother.
Keep in touch
Another issue which can contribute to co-parenting depression is a lack of communication. Some exes struggle to talk without arguing. Others may not communicate at all, which prevents them from being on the same page. However, it’s important to keep some kind of healthy communication open.
One thing you may want to try is keeping your conversations digital. It may be easier for you to keep it touch via email or text instead of phone calls or in-person meetings. Plus, it’ll be more convenient, especially if there’s any sudden schedule changes or other issues which come up.
Focus on what you have
Going from being a “normal” family to a split one is a major source of co-parenting depression. This can be made even worse if it seems your ex is moving on faster then you are. However, it’s important not to focus on the supposed negatives. Rather, you should focus on the positive things you have.
After all, you still get to be a parent to your kids and be involved in their lives. Just because you’re divorced doesn’t mean you can’t be a great parent. There may even be new opportunities which have opened up because of your divorce. You just have to be willing to look for them!
Feb 12, 2023 | Divorce, Financial Impact of Divorce
Divorce can be both stressful and somewhat costly. As a result, you may find that you need some financial support post-divorce. It’s important to know what your options are, and how you can even ask those close to you for help…
How to Ask for Financial Support Post-Divorce: Helpful Steps
Explore your choices
When you’re looking for financial support post-divorce, it’s good to consider what your choices are. For example, some people may turn to their bank for a loan. While these can be helpful in the moment, how much you can receive will depend on things like your credit score. This will also impact any sort of interest rate you’ll need to deal with.
If your work has laid you off, then you can also seek out unemployment benefits. These will help you get some cash flow while you look for a new job. However, many will wonder about asking their friends and family. While they may have helped you before, bringing money into the mix can complicate things, so it’s good to know how to make this process easier for everyone.
Be prepared
If you want to ask your friends and family for financial support post-divorce, you need to be prepared. Just going to them and asking for money will get you nowhere and strain your relationship. Rather, if you really want their help, you should show them that by getting yourself ready.
In particular, it’s good to set up a budget and spending plan. Figure out just exactly how much money you may need and for what. It’s also helpful to see if there’s any sort of debt forgiveness or restructuring you can do too. When you prepare like this, it shows your friends and family that you’re serious about using the money properly.
Set up terms
You shouldn’t treat getting financial support post-divorce from friends and family any differently than you would from other places. It can be easy to think that because you know each other, that it doesn’t need to be as serious. However, when money is involved, you want to make sure both sides know and understand what’s expected of the other.
In fact, even if they say they don’t want you to pay them back, it’s good to tell them you will. This creates some accountability on your end and ensures you’ll use the money to get yourself situation. Once you are, you can then pay them back, even if it was just a small amount they gave you.
Feb 5, 2023 | Divorce
While it’s painful to think about, sometimes divorce is the best option for couples who are no longer happy in their marriage. Unfortunately, there is often still a lot of guilt surrounding the decision, especially if you have children. However, there is no need to feel ashamed of making a decision that is best for your family and your future. If you have tried marriage counseling and things aren’t working, it might be time to move forward with divorce. Similarly, if you are the only partner putting in any effort or if there is a lack of trust between you and your spouse. And sometimes, people just move in different directions with their lives and realize that they are no longer compatible. Whatever the reason for your divorce, there’s no reason to feel a stigma about the decision. Be confident that you are choosing the best future for yourself.
Sometimes Divorce is the Best Option: Letting Go of Guilt
Counseling Isn’t Working
One of the reasons why sometimes divorce is the best option is if couples have tried marriage counseling but things aren’t improving. It might be because of a communication breakdown, or might simply be that you have different goals in life. Whatever the disconnect is, if you’ve given it your best try and it’s still not improving, it might be time to let go.
No Effort
Divorce is the best option if you are the only one putting any effort into the relationship as well. Marriage requires teamwork, and you and your spouse both need to be equally committed. Unfortunately, if you are the only one making space in your life for marriage, it might be time to call it quits. You deserve an equal partner that is willing to put in the effort to make a relationship last.
Broken Trust
Another reason why sometimes divorce is the best option for couples is if there is a lack of trust. This often happens after an affair, especially if the adultery happens several times. If you no longer trust your partner, or you feel your partner doesn’t trust you, it might be time to discuss divorce. A marriage cannot last if you and your spouse don’t have faith in one another.
Letting Go of Guilt
There are tons of reasons why people get divorced. And sometimes, it’s simply that they’ve grown apart. Whatever the reasons are, there are times when divorce is the best option. However, even if this is the case, it can still come with a lot of guilt. It’s important to remember that choosing your happiness is perfectly fine and not something you should feel ashamed of. If you have children, it’s important to remember that staying together for their sake if you’re unhappy isn’t modeling a healthy relationship. Having two co-parents who get along is better for them in the long run than living with two parents who argue.
While it’s difficult to accept, some marriages simply aren’t meant to be. If you and your spouse are drifting apart, it might be time to examine whether or not divorce is the best option for you. Try not to let guilt or stigma be a factor in your decision. Instead, think about what you want for your future and what sort of partner you deserve in life. If you and your spouse have tried counseling to no avail, or if you feel like you’re the only one putting in the effort, it might be time to break up. Additionally, if there is a lack of trust between you, you might need to move forward with a divorce. Hopefully, you and your spouse can come to the best decision for your family and move forward amicably with whatever you choose.
Dec 18, 2022 | Divorce, Family Law
When you’re in a marriage, it can become a large part of your identity. As a result, a divorce can make you question who you really are. Discovering your new post-divorce identity can be tricky. However, there are some ways you can make it easier…
Post-Divorce Identity: Find the New You
Viewing divorce
In order to create your new post-divorce identity, you should first consider how you view the divorce itself. For many people, they see their marriage as a sign of success. Over time, their marriage becomes a very important part of who they are. A divorce is drastically changing what they see as a key part of who they are.
Usually, this will make them feel like they are a failure. They believe that they failed in their role as a spouse, rather than accepting that sometime relationships of all types don’t work out. This also tends to come with a massive sense of loss. If you find yourself feeling this way, then it’s key to make some changes.
Don’t let divorce define you
It’s important that you don’t let your divorce define your post-divorce identity. The end of a marriage doesn’t mean you can’t experience new, great things in the future. Instead, you have to keep in mind that a divorce is just one small hurdle in the grand scheme of life.
You should also remember that while a divorce can be rough, it doesn’t always properly represent the people involved. You and your spouse can be great people who just had a relationship which didn’t work out. The thing is, there’s nothing wrong with that, and you don’t have to let it define you!
Looking to the future
Your should focus your post-divorce identity on what you want to do in the future. It’s good to take some time and reflect on what you really enjoy doing. Start small by thinking about stuff like hobbies or interests that you neglected while married. These can serve to be some inspiration for what you’d like to do down the line.
Also, consider the lessons your marriage and divorce have taught you. Taking away those important lessons will help you immensely in the future. That way, you can begin to do some strong self-improvement, and really become the person you want to be.
Dec 4, 2022 | Divorce, Family Law
Adjusting spousal support, or alimony can be a complicated process. In South Carolina, some alimony payments last a lifetime because they are “periodic alimony,” or permanent alimony. This is the most common form of alimony. However, there are a few instances where these supports might change. Death, marriage, or moving in with a partner might change alimony, as can a substantial change in circumstances. However, there are specific rules about changing these payments. Therefore, the best thing to do if you want to try to change alimony payments is to speak to an attorney. They can assist you in going through the proper legal channels and can do their best to get your alimony payments where they ought to be.
Adjusting Spousal Support in SC: Changing Alimony
What is Spousal Support?
Spousal support, or alimony, is the money that one spouse pays to another after a divorce. This money is typical to help the receiving spouse maintain the same lifestyle after the split. When deciding on how much spousal support to award, a judge takes into account many factors. For example, each person’s income and needs. Adjusting spousal support can be a tricky process because alimony is typically permanent in South Carolina.
Reasons for Adjusting or Terminating Spousal Support
While most alimony is permanent, adjusting spousal support is possible in a few scenarios. For example, if either spouse passes away, alimony support stops and does not pass on to heirs. In addition, if the receiving spouse re-marries or lives with a new partner for more than ninety days, the alimony payments also terminate. And finally, if there is a substantial change in circumstances.
More About Substantial Changes
Adjusting spousal support because of a substantial change in circumstances can be proved in a number of different ways. For example, if either the sending or receiving spouse has a change in salary or income it can change alimony. Or if either has a new health issue arises. If the spouse receiving payments inherits a large sum of money, it might mean a reduction in support payments. The change must be unexpected and new since the time of the divorce.
First Steps
Adjusting spousal support is best left to your family law attorney. They can help guide you through the process to get the results that you want and deserve. If you believe that your payments should be reduced, or if you want to defend against an ex trying to reduce payments, it’s important to get legal representation.
Adjusting spousal support is not very common in some states, South Carolina among them. Most alimony payments in South Carolina are permanent, or periodic alimony. However, there are a few circumstances where you might be able to reduce payments. For example, if either partner dies or if the receiving spouse gets remarried or moves in with a new partner. Or if either party can prove a significant change in circumstances. Many factors go into proving these facts, so the best course of action is to engage an experienced family law attorney as soon as possible. They can assist you in proving your case and getting the results that you deserve when it comes to adjusting alimony.
Aug 21, 2022 | Divorce
Changing your name after divorce can be an important milestone in the healing process. Having your ex’s name attached to yours can be a constant and painful reminder of the relationship. You can file a petition to change your name while you are going through the divorce itself, or you can wait until afterward. You’ll need to file your petition with the court, and provide several documents. After you legally change your name, you’ll need to update many things like ID cards and documents. It can be a tricky process, and it’s easy to forget some of the documents you’ll need, so hiring an attorney can be your best bet to avoid the hassle. Hopefully, changing your name after divorce can bring you some closure and let you move on more easily.
Changing Your Name After Divorce: When and How
When to Change Your Name
Changing your name after divorce can take as long as you want it to. If you want to finalize your divorce and then think about your decision for a little while, it’s perfectly fine. However, you can also choose to change your name as part of the divorce proceedings. It will be part of your petition to divorce and the judge can rule on that during the rest of the divorce proceedings.
How to Change Your Name
If you are changing your name after divorce and want to wait until your divorce is final, you can petition the court for the name change any time you want. You’ll need to file an official petition and bring your documents with you, along with a small fee. If you are petitioning to change your name as part of the divorce proceedings, your attorney can help you fill out the correct paperwork.
What You’ll Need
To file a petition for changing your name after divorce, you’ll need to provide evidence that you aren’t changing it for any fraudulent reasons. To do this, you’ll need to provide the S.L.E.D. name change packet, which you can get from the court of clerks. In addition, you’ll need proof from the Department of Social Services showing you are not on a list for child abuse or neglect. You’ll also need a certified copy of your birth certificate. And finally, an affidavit stating if you are behind on child support or alimony.
Don’t Forget
Once you are done changing your name after divorce, you’ll need to remember to change it everywhere else. You’ll need to get a new social security card and driver’s license. In addition, you’ll want to update your bank and investment accounts. Don’t forget any professional licenses or educational degrees. And finally, you can also change your voter registration.
Changing your name after divorce can be a little complicated. It’s therefore helpful to get the assistance of an experienced attorney. You can choose to change your name during the divorce proceedings if you’d like. Otherwise, you’ll need to file a petition with the court. You’ll attend a hearing where you will need to prove that you aren’t changing it for any fraudulent reasons. To do this, you’ll have to bring various documents along with you. Finally, once you have done all of that, you can begin updating your name everywhere else. Hopefully, after you change your name, you’ll be able to get some closure on your divorce and move on to the next chapter of your life without the painful reminder of your ex’s name.
