Utah Divorce & Family Law Blog

Child support can be a double-edged sword for paying parents

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

After Utah parents get divorced, it is common for there to be a change in financial responsibilities. In many cases, one parent will have to pay child support to the other in order to meet the needs of the children. Though a court order typically details the terms of this arrangement, conflict can still arise over this type of support.

In efforts to avoid conflict, the paying parent can take various steps. For instance, always making support payments on time can lessen the likelihood that the receiving parent will have reason to complain about unpaid support. If the paying parent does fall behind on payments, it is possible for his or her wages to be garnished, or he or she may even face jail time for failure to pay.

Looking into the future is good for divorce prep

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Monday, November 4, 2019.

When a marriage is no longer working, many people in Utah and across the country choose to end the relationship. It can sometimes be a struggle to make this decision, and going through the divorce process is typically not a walk in the park either. However, with planning, individuals may give themselves a better chance of getting through the process quickly.

One of the biggest concerns that many people have about divorce is the effects it will have on their finances. Fortunately, people can go over their current financial affairs and determine what they may need to change to adjust for the future. For instance, parties may need to look at where they will live after the divorce, what type of income they will have coming in and what expenses they will have.

Thinking about divorce? Research can help with decision-making

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.

Making any major decision deserves proper time and consideration. Utah residents who are thinking about filing for divorce certainly want to make sure it is the right decision for their circumstances. Before making any hasty choices, they may want to do their research.

Even before a person decides that ending the marriage it what he or she wants to do, it can be useful to have information regarding divorce. Individuals can learn about the available legal options for ending their marriage, how state laws will come into play, and what complications they could potentially face due to the specific details of their lives and family dynamic. This information may help them as they work to determine whether now is the right time to dissolve their marriage.

How can you be sure your custody plan will work well?

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates on Friday, October 25, 2019.

How will you and your spouse parent after divorce? Even Utah parents who do not necessarily get along see the value in working together to provide their children with stability and security long-term. One practical way to do this is to draft a parenting plan together that will work well for your family.

Divorce is hard, and it is often most difficult for the youngest members of the family. They may feel insecure, and they don't want to miss time with either parent. Through a reasonable custody order and parenting plan, you can provide your children with the ability to have a strong and meaningful relationship with the two most important people in their lives – their parents. It can be helpful to consider ways you can make sure your plan will work well for years to come.

Child support may still be necessary with joint custody

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, October 22, 2019.

When Utah parents divorce, they may think long and hard about the custody arrangements they hope to have. In many cases, parents believe that joint custody is right for them and their children, and some may believe that child support is not necessary for such an arrangement. However, that is not always the case.

Certainly, there are some instances in which the court may not consider child support necessary for joint custody arrangements, but for some families, the support may be required. In such cases, rather than having one parent make full payments, a parent's payments may be reduced. Both parents' incomes and abilities to pay would go into consideration, and when a support amount is reached, the amount would be split in half if each parent has the children 50% of the time.

Divorce during retirement means focusing on finances

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Monday, October 14, 2019.

Ending a marriage at any age can come with significant complications. However, Utah residents who choose to divorce during their retirement years may have more significant financial repercussions to consider. Because they are not actively generating an income in most cases, it is important that individuals learn what financial changes they may face.

Because Social Security payments are important to individuals during retirement, it is wise to determine whether those payments will change due to the divorce. If a person was married for at least 10 years and has not remarried, he or she is likely entitled to up to half of the former spouse's benefits. The exact amount to which a person could be entitled will depend on a number of factors regarding the specific situation.

Is preparing for divorce before the wedding wise?

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Family Law on Monday, October 7, 2019.

Getting married is an exciting time in any Utah resident's life. While many individuals are likely focused on choosing the right venue and caterer, there are other matters that it may be wise to address. Though most couples do not enter into a marriage with the intention to divorce, it is important to prepare for the possibility before tying the knot.

If a couple does choose to end the marriage, it is likely that marital property will be divided. Individuals can prepare for this possibility ahead of time by ensuring that they have paperwork to show that certain assets are separate property. Separate property is typically anything owned before the marriage took place. However, it can be difficult to prove that certain assets were owned prior to marriage, so having documentation before the marriage takes place could prove useful later if needed.

Custody arrangements can affect child support payments

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Family Law on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

The outcomes of one Utah divorce case can be vastly different from another. This is particularly true when one case involves parents and the other does not. As a result of divorce, one parent may end up having to pay child support, and that detail can be a cause of concern for some.

The way in which child custody arrangements are made can have an impact on who pays child support and how much. For instance, if the custody arrangement results in one parent having primary physical custody of the children, the other parent will typically need to make support payments in order to fulfill his or her financial obligation for the children. Of course, joint custody arrangements could still present a need for child support, and details of the custody agreement will still affect how much each parent pays.

Is it time to divorce, or can you make it work?

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.

You have probably heard people tell you that marriage is hard. Perhaps your own parents told you this on your wedding day, or your friends have tried to comfort you with these words of wisdom. Marriage is not easy, and sometimes you have to work hard to keep it going. However, maybe you are tired of working hard.

You know that every marriage has its good and bad seasons, but you may feel lonely and discouraged if yours hasn't seen good times in a long while. Divorce is a difficult choice, and you certainly don't want to make it hastily, but how do you know when the time is right to just let go and move on with your life?

Maintaining strong relationships after a child custody order

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Family Law on Monday, September 23, 2019.

When Utah parents go through divorce, they are ending their marital relationship but not the relationships they have with their kids. To some parents, it may feel as if this will happen due to the outcomes of child custody proceedings. Luckily, depending on the terms of the custody order, even non-custodial parents can do a lot to stay active in their children's lives.

Parents can maintain strong relationships with their kids by staying in as much contact as possible. If the custody order does not prohibit a non-custodial parent from calling or messaging the children, that parent could check in daily to see how school or other activities went. Additionally, non-custodial parents can stay active in their kids' lives without direct communication with the kids by ensuring that the school administration sends any important messages or notices to both parents.