Utah Divorce & Family Law Blog

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.

Is forgoing legal help the best way to save money during divorce?

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Monday, August 31, 2020.

It is not uncommon for people to worry about the costs associated with ending their marriage. Some Utah residents may think that they cannot afford a divorce, but luckily, there are ways that individuals can help themselves work toward the most affordable route for their case. Often, that does not mean having to forgo legal help.

One of the most significant causes of expense in divorce cases is the length of the proceedings. The longer the case goes on, the more money it will cost in various fees as well as time. Because of this potential outcome, parties can help themselves have a shorter process by not allowing their emotions to steer the case. When individuals want to use their anger to fight against everything the other party says, the constant conflict can cause drawn out and costly cases.

Divorce often means considering child custody

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

Most parents want what is best for their kids, and they often take their kids into consideration when making major life decisions. Still, even if parents know that their choice will have significant effects on their children, they may need to move forward nonetheless. This is often the case with parents who choose to divorce.

Though ending a marriage will disrupt their children's lives, many Utah parents feel that they will be able to parent better if not in an unhappy marriage. Of course, that means that child custody proceedings will be necessary for parents with minor children, and those proceedings can be difficult at times, especially if the parents are not on the same page. If they cannot come to an arrangement themselves, the court will have the final say.

What's going to happen to your retirement plan if you divorce?

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates on Friday, August 21, 2020.

A divorce will inevitably bring significant financial changes to your life. You may have to adjust to a new budget and life on one income, even if you will receive spousal support. If you will have to pay child support or alimony, you may have to change your spending habits. There are many changes you will experience that will be immediate, but there will be changes that will also affect you in the future.

One long-term financial impact will involve your retirement savings. If you were married a long time, chances are that you and your spouse set aside savings for your golden years. You have a rightful claim to any marital property, which includes anything saved or accumulated over the course of your marriage. When it comes to your retirement, it's in your interests to pursue a settlement that will make sense long-term.

Divorce can seem frightening when emotional abuse is involved

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Monday, August 17, 2020.

Unfortunately, numerous people face various types of abuse in their relationships. Some Utah residents may contend with emotional abuse on a regular basis and wonder what to do. For some, the decision to divorce may be their best option for breaking free and moving forward in life in a healthier way.

One form of emotional abuse that some individuals may face is gaslighting. This type of abuse involves someone trying to make another person question his or her own sanity by refuting facts, claiming that events did not happen, lying and generally making the other person feel as if he or she does not remember things clearly. Abusers often use this tactic as a way to manipulate the other person in order to maintain control.

Understanding divorce and taxes is critical early on

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Friday, August 14, 2020.

The idea of getting divorced can understandably be hard to process emotionally. However, the financial aspect of divorce can be just as challenging to navigate, especially with regard to determining the tax consequences of certain moves. Here are some important points to consider before moving forward with a given property distribution decision in Utah.

First, perhaps two people who are going through divorce have a traditional Individual Retirement Account and a Roth Individual Retirement Account. Each account has $50,000 in it. So, does this mean that both are worth the same thing? The short answer is no.

Tips for achieving desired child custody outcomes

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates posted in Divorce on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

Being a parent is a difficult job. No matter how much Utah residents love their children, they will face challenges as they raise their kids into adults. For some, the situation could become more difficult if the parents choose to divorce. If that happens, one parent may have to do his or her best to work toward obtaining child custody.

The court takes custody matters seriously, and in some cases, it is not always easy for a parent to receive the custody outcome he or she desires. When it comes to working toward the desired result, parents may want to show the court that they truly want to play an active role in their kids' lives. For example, parents should always be on time when picking up the kids, should show that they are willing to handle parental obligations and be willing to work with the other parent for the benefit of the kids.

An unhappy marriage does not have to mean a difficult divorce

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

Being in an unhappy situation can be difficult for any Utah resident. Sometimes, it is challenging to know exactly what is making a person unhappy and to determine what steps would help that individual work toward obtaining more happiness. For some, their marriages may be an issue that leaves them feeling unhappy and unsatisfied, and they may consider divorce in efforts to regain some contentment in life.

Of course, some parties may think that the divorce process will leave them feeling even more unhappy because of the difficult and long proceedings involved. Fortunately, ending a marriage does not have to be a contentious event. If both parties involved feel that dissolving the marriage would be best, they could work together to negotiate the terms of their settlement and reach an end to their case more amicably and more quickly.

Do you need to modify your divorce decree?

On behalf of Kris Greenwood of Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates on Friday, July 24, 2020.

The idea of getting a divorce is something that many people in Utah and across the country consider to be complicated. You may have known that ending your marriage was the best step to take due to the relationship issues and other unresolved matters that dragged your marriage down. You may have dreaded having to go through the legal process involved, but you gritted your teeth and did what was necessary.

When your divorce came to an end, you may have felt a sense of relief. Having those legal proceedings completed may have lifted a burden from your shoulders. However, as time has gone on, you may have realized that the terms of your divorce decree are not holding up as well as you thought.