Putative Father Registry and Paternity Laws

By Sara Pitcher Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Lawyer Some states require a putative father to submit his information to a database – a putative father registry – to preserve some of his rights as the father of the child. A putative father is a man who may be a …

Can My Family Get Emergency Custody While I’m Deployed?

Question: My wife let our children travel out of state to visit my family while I am deployed overseas so that she could take time to receive help for her various addictions. I fear for my children’s safety while with their mother, and I do not want my family to …

Paying Child Support To A Third Party If Mother Is Irresponsible

Question: I pay child support to my ex who has primary custody, however my child almost exclusively lives with my ex’s parents. I would rather pay this child support directly to the grandparents since they are the primary caregivers, and my ex just takes the money and uses it on …

How To Reach An Agreement In Mediation

By Leslie Lorenzano Cordell & Cordell Divorce Lawyer If you are engaging in mediation, the ultimate goal is to come to an agreement to resolve your case and avoid the financial and emotional toll of litigation. Mediation can itself be a long and taxing process, but a successful mediation can …

She Violated Our Notarized Child Custody Agreement

Question: My ex and I signed a notarized child custody agreement that she was not allowed to leave the state with my son without my written permission. However, she ignored it, moved out of state with my child, and when I protested the judge overruled our notarized agreement saying it …

Terminate A Voluntary Guardianship Order

Question: I voluntarily signed over guardianship of my son to my ex-girlfriend’s relatives since neither of us were fit to be parents at the time. Now they would like to send the child back to live with me, which I am ready to accept. What is the process for terminating …

I Was Granted A Child Support Modification But I Am Still Paying The Original Amount

Question: Due to a change of custody, my child support order was modified to a much lower amount. It was granted and supposed to go in effect a month retroactively, but the child support agency is still garnishing my wages at the original amount before it was modified. How can …

Can My Wife Sell The Vehicle If It Is In Her Name?

Question: My wife owns a truck, though I am the primary user since the truck is essential to me making a living as a construction worker. We are heading for a divorce, and my wife wants to sell the truck. Can she do this even if it is in her …

Mediation 101: How To Properly Prepare For Mediation

By Leslie Lorenzano Cordell & Cordell Divorce Lawyer Mediation is a growing trend in many jurisdictions. Many courts are requiring parties to participate in mediation prior to engaging in litigation. Knowing how to best prepare for mediation will provide you with the best chance of a successful outcome.

Can An Ex-Spouse Claim Interest In My Child’s Trust?

Question: Say I set up an irrevocable trust in my child’s name only, and buy real estate property, stocks, and bonds using income from my business to transfer into this trust. During a divorce, would my spouse be able to claim 50% interest in this irrevocable trust? What if I …