What It Means When Your Parenting Rights Are Reserved

Question: My divorce was finalized while I was out of state. I haven’t signed any paperwork and have yet to receive any paperwork. I was told my parenting rights have been reserved. What does this mean and what can I do to change it?

The Dos And Don’ts Of Mediation

Question: I’m preparing to go to mediation with my wife. What are some of the dos and don’ts I should know about?

Divorce Dilemma: Why Divorce Is So Frightening

By Dad “X” No matter how your marriage has been, even in troubled times, no one can ever be ready to hear their spouse say those four dreaded words: “I want a divorce!” Trust me, it’s worse than “Mom’s moving in!” But not by much. Whatever the situation, no matter …

Spouse Refusing to Sign Divorce Papers

Question: My wife isn’t signing the divorce papers. What should I do?

Legal Ramifications of Allowing Child Around New Boyfriend

Question: I was recently served divorce papers by my wife. We haven’t yet gone to our first mediation, and for the past four weeks, my five-year-old son has told me about how he’s visited her new boyfriend at his apartment, at my old house, at an amusement park and more. …

Is Collaborative Divorce Right For Me? 5 Pros and Cons

By Jennifer M. Paine Cordell & Cordell Divorce Lawyer While researching your divorce options, chances are you will come across the collaborative divorce model. As a model, it is relatively new, dating from the mid-1990s from the Midwest, when a group of family court attorneys and experts committed to collaborating …

Requesting Custody During A Visitation Hearing

Question: Can I request custody during a visitation hearing?

Validity of Mediation Agreements and Jurisdictional Limitations

Question: We reached a memorandum of understanding in mediation that neither party will seek to change jurisdiction of the case. We have both moved out of the original issuing state and now live in the same state albeit in separate homes. My ex-wife wants to modify child support through the …

Paying Half Of Uninsured Medical Expenses

Question: As with most parenting plans, we have joint decision making, but in the event we can’t agree, my ex has the final say with my only recourse being mediation. Well, despite that, my ex started our child on allergy shots without discussing treatment with me or involving me in …

Motion for Continuance: What It Means and What To Consider

By Leslie Lorenzano Cordell & Cordell Divorce Lawyer A common question parties in a family law matter ask is, “How long will this process take?” What often drags out the process is a Motion for Continuance. Courts usually schedule a hearing simply by looking at its own calendar of availability. …