Family Law | Divorce, Child Custody

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.

How fathers can optimize their time with their kids after divorce

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

When New Hampshire parents divorce, it will certainly have an impact on the youngest members of the family. The end of your marriage, however, does not mean it is the end of your right as a father or the importance of your role in the lives of your kids. It may be helpful for you to consider ways you can be a strong and active dad after divorce.

Being a single dad is not easy, but there are ways you can optimize the time you have with your children, even if it is not as much as you hoped it would be. When you are intentional about how you use the time you have, it can be a more fulfilling experience for both you and your children. Of course, part of this is securing a fair custody and visitation order.

What will happen to your family business during divorce?

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

As New Hampshire readers may know, January is a popular month for divorce filings. If you are considering moving ahead with this process, it is likely that you have many questions and concerns about what to expect and what your future will look like. For example, what will happen to your property or your family-run business?

For business owners, divorce can be a frightening process. Before you move forward with the decision to end your marriage, it is smart to take steps to learn about how property division works in New Hampshire divorces and what you can do to protect your long-term interests. While divorce will bring significant changes to your life, it is possible to secure a final order that allows you to have a strong and stable future.

Want a better way to divorce? Collaboration may be the answer.

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.

Divorce is never an easy option, but there are some options available to you that can ease the strain and complications many New Hampshire couples experience. If you are dreading the fighting and stress of a litigious and contentious divorce process, collaboration may be the right choice for you. Collaborative divorce offers you a way to end your marriage that does not require you to go to court, which can be easier on everyone involved.

Collaboration allows a couple to work together and use certain techniques to resolve divorce-related disputes. A couple does not have to get along in order to benefit from the collaborative process; it simply allows them a structured process by which they can set aside feelings and work through issues together. If you are facing the prospect of divorce, you may want to consider collaboration or other options for dispute resolution.

Couples of any age may benefit from a prenuptial agreement

On behalf of Clark Law PLLC on Thursday, December 13, 2018.

Getting engaged and planning a wedding is an exciting time for many New Hampshire couples. During this time of excitement, it may seem counterintuitive to plan for what will happen in case the marriage ends prematurely, but it can be a smart move. Through a prenuptial agreement, couples of any age can protect their interests.

You may associate the need for a prenuptial agreement with those who have significant wealth or have valuable assets, but that is not always the case. For young couples, older couples and couples of all ages in between, these agreements can provide security and peace of mind. Before you say I do, you may want to consider how this type of agreement can benefit you.