Utah Divorce & Family Law Blog

Does divorce only cause financial problems? Fortunately, no

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Thursday, November 5, 2020.

Many Utah residents understandably worry about the financial repercussions of ending their marriage. They may think that they will have a more difficult time living on a single income, not obtain enough child or spousal support, or have to give up their current way of life. While it is certainly true that some financial adjustments need to be made after divorce, some benefits can stem from such a change as well.

First, divorced individuals may be better able to control and budget their personal finances because they no longer have to account for their spouse. For some people, having a spendthrift spouse may have contributed to the divorce in the first place, so not having to worry about a spouse overspending may come as a relief. As a result, the person may be able to put more funds toward savings and investments that may not have been possible before.

There may be some benefits for individuals who choose to divorce

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Friday, October 30, 2020.

The end of a marriage will certain bring significant financial changes to both parties. When a Utah couple chooses to move forward with a divorce, they will have to divide marital property, address support and take other steps that will affect their finances and lifestyles for years to come. For some, it can take years to overcome the financial challenges associated with a divorce, but that is not always the case. For some, there are financial benefits to making this choice.

One of the financial benefits of a divorce is that it can provide someone with the ability to gain more financial independence and more control over their affairs. It may be possible to access retirement funds early, which can then be invested. In many ways, it provides the ability to reset financial priorities and make specific goals for the future.

Certain people are more prone to divorce than others

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Monday, October 26, 2020.

Many Utah married couples are struggling in their relationships. No doubt some of them will wind up filing for divorce before all is said and done. While no two relationships are exactly the same, spouses can often relate to others who have gone through similar experiences.

Tackling the family home is an important part of divorce

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Thursday, October 22, 2020.

When people in Utah go through the dissolution of a marriage, they may understandably be concerned about what will happen to their family home. Who will keep it, or will they sell it? Here is a look at what couples would be wise to consider if one person is thinking about staying in the marital home post-divorce.

During the asset division process in divorce, people may be tempted to pursue the marital home for a couple of reasons. First, they may be emotionally tied to the house, as this is potentially where they reared their children and built many positive family memories. Second, the family home is often a couple's largest marital asset, so naturally, both parties may be interested in keeping it.

Building an emotionally healthy life after divorce is possible

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Thursday, October 8, 2020.

Going through the dissolution of a marriage in Utah can no doubt be unsettling from an emotional standpoint. However, this does not mean that individuals who are going through the divorce process have to feel defeated. Divorcing individuals can take some steps to feel a greater sense of control during this process.

First, it is essential that people who are going through divorce avoid trying to alter what cannot be changed. Individuals who are getting divorced may be tempted to wonder whether they could have prevented this by doing certain things differently. However, the reality is that, even if they can change themselves, they cannot change their exes. For this reason, it is wise for them to keep moving forward rather than becoming stuck in the past.

Gray divorce could give retirees a happier outlook

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.

Some people may think that once they start closing in on their retirement years, the time for major life changes is over. In reality, those years could offer numerous opportunities for Utah residents to make changes that allow them to live happier lives. In fact, some soon-to-be retirees may even consider gray divorce.

For someone 55 or older, getting divorced can certainly seem risky. After all, the person may have less opportunity to recover financially from the changes that a divorce can bring than someone younger, but less opportunity does not mean it is impossible. Older parties may simply need to have more flexibility and restructure some of their goals. For example, someone who was planning on retiring early or at the typical age of 65 may need to consider working longer and accruing more funds for his or her nest egg.

Protecting your business during divorce

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates on Friday, September 25, 2020.

Like most business owners, you probably take pride in the business you have put so much time and effort into building. Unfortunately, if you are one of the many people in Utah who are about to file for divorce, all of your hard work could be at risk. It is not at all uncommon for divorce to disrupt business function or operations.

Identifying the potential impacts of a divorce is important. These generally come down to things like finances, property division and day-to-day operations. It is also wise to remember that your business can impact your divorce, too.

Employer's mistake causes child support debacle

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Thursday, September 24, 2020.

Utah parents strive to provide their children with everything they need to grow healthy and happy. In some cases, one parent may pay child support to the other parent on behalf of a child. These payments help ensure that both parents share the financial burden of raising a child, and both contribute to providing for a child's needs.

Sometimes, a parent will have child support payments automatically garnished from his or her employment earnings. The employer then sends the amount to the proper agency responsible for distributing child support to the other parent. While this method is meant to ensure that a child receives timely support payments for the proper amount, a mistake on the part of an employer can have devastating consequences for both parents and children.

A smooth divorce is a possibility for many in Utah

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.

The decision to end a marriage is certainly one that can bring about mixed emotions. Many Utah residents may feel as if they have lost something important if they decide to divorce, and others may feel a sense of relief. In some cases, it may be both. Whatever a person is feeling, it is commonly a priority for the case to go as smoothly as possible. Fortunately, individuals can help themselves achieve that goal.

The right information can go a long way during a divorce, so individuals may want to start by understanding their finances. Household finances can be more obscure than some people realize, and taking an inventory of assets, understanding expenses and debts, and much more could play vital roles during asset division and other parts of a case. This could also help parties prepare for living on a single income after the divorce.

Handling child custody conflict with a co-parent

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Family Law on Monday, September 7, 2020.

Having kids means creating an unbreakable bond with another person. Though many parents in Utah and elsewhere may choose to divorce, they are still connected through their children, and often, they will need to continue to work together for child custody reasons even after ending their marriage. Parents should certainly do their best to act civilly, but that does not mean conflict is completely unavoidable.

If co-parents find themselves at odds over custody matters, it may only bring back memories about why they chose to divorce in the first place. However, it is important that they try to move past these conflicts for the sake of their kids. Often, this means putting past relationship issues behind them and allowing themselves to see their co-parent as a valuable part of their children's lives, rather than continually thinking of any wrongs committed during the marriage.