Family Law | Divorce, Child Custody

Why are more families choosing parallel parenting?

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Friday, August 16, 2019.

Making choices that pertain to your children is one of the hardest aspects of divorce. This is an incredibly difficult process to navigate, especially when it is difficult to work with your spouse regarding a beneficial child custody arrangement. Many people are now opting for a joint custody arrangement, but will this actually work in your situation?

Co-parenting is a popular choice for custody. This type of arrangement requires that the two parents work together to jointly raise their children. If you opt for co-parenting, you will have to work closely with your ex-spouse, and both parties will have to be willing to work together until the children grow up. In situations when parents do not get along well, this simply may not work. If you don't think co-parenting is right for you, it is possible that parallel parenting could work.

Are you interested in the benefits of collaborative divorce?

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

Though you likely believe that ending your marriage is for the best, you may still have creeping feelings that the process will be awful. After all, you may know someone who went through a difficult divorce who saw conflict after conflict throughout the entire process. However, it is important to remember that each case is different, and the way in which you approach your case could make a considerable difference in how smoothly it goes.

Deciding beforehand that you will do your part to help your proceedings along may be a good starting point. It may also be wise to remember that there are other marriage dissolution options aside from courtroom litigation. In fact, a method like collaborative divorce may better suit your circumstances.

You can make the child custody process easier on your kids

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

It's a pretty universal concept that one of the primary concerns of most parents going through a divorce is how it affects their kids. Despite the emotional turmoil going on around them, you don't want it to touch them, even though you know that it will since change is inevitable.

You may feel as though you can do nothing to lessen their stress, anxiety and frustration, and the reality is that you may not be able to eliminate their fears, confusion and concerns. Even so, how you handle the coming days, weeks and perhaps months will make a difference in getting them, and you, through this process.

What can you do when mediation is not working?

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

Family law disputes are complex matters that can be stressful and difficult to resolve. The implications for these issues are significant – they can impact your family for years to come. You understand why it's important to reach a beneficial resolution to these types of issues, and for this reason, you may prefer to opt for mediation rather than litigation.

Mediation allows two opposing parties to resolve their disputes in a respectful, calm environment. With the help of a neutral third-party, you and your spouse can work through issues related to child custody, visitation, property division, financial support and more. This is a beneficial option because it saves time, money and stress – but it doesn't work in every situation. Some New Hampshire couples find that mediation does not actually work for them.

Cut off potential co-parenting arguments before they happen

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

As you go through your divorce, you may realize that you will still have a significant amount of contact with your future former spouse because you have children together. Despite how you feel about each other, you agree that you need to find a way forward in order to co-parent.

As part of that endeavor, you may sit down to begin negotiating a parenting plan. You may understand right away that this will be the guidebook for your co-parenting relationship. Once you come to this conclusion, you may want to include provisions that will help you avoid unnecessary conflicts that will only damage that relationship and possibly cause your children stress and sadness.

Fight back against parenting time interference

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.

After divorce, New Hampshire parents will want to work to protect their relationship with their children. If you are divorced, you may have concerns about how the end of your marriage will affect your children long-term. One of the most important things you can do for your children is to allow them to maintain a strong relationship with both parents.

You understand it is in the interests of the kids if they can have time with both parents, but the other parent may not see it that way. Lingering hard feelings and disagreements can lead to difficulties between two people who have to share custody. Eventually, this can lead to something called parenting time interference. This is any effort from one parent to interfere with the parental rights of the other.

What's going to happen to your family home when you divorce?

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Monday, April 29, 2019.

Are you facing the prospect of divorce? If you are, you probably have many questions regarding what this process will mean for your future and your financial interests. One important concern you may have is where you will live. Who or what determines what happens to your New Hampshire family home?

The family home is likely the most valuable asset you and your spouse will have to address in a divorce. What happens to it matters, and you would be wise to consider your future financial stability as you take your concerns to court or negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the other party. When considering options, it is helpful to remove temporary emotions from the equation and think about what will be best long term.

Securing a fair financial settlement in a divorce

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

What will your financial future look like after your divorce? The end of your marriage will bring significant financial changes to your life, and it is prudent to pursue a final order that will allow you to have security and stability well into the future. Part of this may include seeking financial support.

There are various factors that determine whether you will get this type of support and how much potential payments may be. In some cases, New Hampshire couples are able to come to a reasonable resolution regarding spousal support through a negotiated settlement. However, it may be helpful to learn what factors can affect your case in the event a court will be deciding the details of your final financial settlement.

Legal separation: when divorce is not an option

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Friday, March 15, 2019.

Making the choice to end a committed relationship and move forward with divorce is not an easy decision. For many people, this decision comes after extensive discussions, planning and more. For you, however, it may not be quite time to file for divorce, but living together is not an option at this time either.

If you find yourself in this situation, it is possible you could benefit from a legal separation. A legal separation is an option when a couple no longer wants to live together, yet they are not quite ready to divorce. A time of separation may be for a limited period, or it can last indefinitely. For many New Hampshire couples, a separation agreement can serve as the foundation for a divorce order down the road.

Right of first refusal in your custody plan

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Friday, March 8, 2019.

For many New Hampshire parents, the most painful part of a divorce is the separation from their children. Even the most generous custody plan may mean days, weeks or months apart from your children, and the loss of precious moments that are critical for forming a lifelong bond.

As you and your spouse haggle over custody rights, there are certain things you want to fight for. You may insist on having the children for certain holidays. You may want the right to choose the religious upbringing for your children. Perhaps you have strong beliefs about nutrition, vaccinations or extra-curricular activities you want to include in your custody agreement. However, don't forget to insist on the right of first refusal.