People often realize that failing to pay child support can lead to many different hardships in life, from those which are financial (tax refund interception, etc.) to being arrested. However, there are a number of other ways that back child support can derail your plans and turn your life on end. For example, you could be unable to obtain a passport if your unpaid child support exceeds a certain amount. It is important to be aware of the different ways…

In the early days of your relationship, you took pride in knowing everything there was to know about your partner. Now all you know about your partner is that you need space apart. Space can be helpful, and it doesn’t mean that you’re headed down the path toward legal separation or divorce. Many couples who take a break simply need to spend time away from their partner to remember why they chose them in the first place. Wondering about separation…

In divorce, establishing where the children will live is often one of the hardest issues to resolve. During the economic downturn, when home values plummeted, some parents got creative by “nesting.” In this arrangement children remain in the family home full-time while the parents alternate between that home and another. In some cases, the parents may even remain in the same home together, at least temporarily. This approach is back in the spotlight with a new ABC show about a…

Think the family pet can’t cause issues in divorce? When researchers at Georgia Regents University asked hundreds of people who they would save if given the choice between a dog or a human, nearly half (40 percent) said they would save their pet over the life of a stranger if forced to choose. Still not convinced? Consider these statistics: Over 90 percent of dog owners view their pet as part of the family (Harris poll) 40 percent of female married…

The start of a new year always brings a spike in the number of divorce cases across the country. Statistics prove that at least one in every five married couples is considering divorce immediately after the festive season. If your marriage is ending, there are some things you can do to ensure that the divorce doesn’t bring you too much trauma. Taking the right steps up-front can make the entire separation a more peaceful, drama-free, and fair process. Below are some tips…