When many are trying to resolve their divorce, they end up negotiating with their soon-to-be ex-spouse. Many prefer negotiating directly with their spouse versus hiring lawyers to help them. The idea of lawyers becoming involving just feels wrong to them.
But when they start negotiating, the reality is even where both parties want a divorce, there area areas of disagreement. This can be the case even where the parties agree on “most” issues in their divorce.
It could be a custody issue that hangs up the settlement. It could be that the finances are complex. It could be that…
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In divorce and family law matters where custody of children is litigated, it can often present a unique set of complexities for a family court. Family court judges might start with default parenting plans or custody schedules in mind. In many cases, they might start with these schedules in most of they cases.
What this can often result in is a one-size fits all approach to child custody matters. In some courts, courts might start with a general presumption of shared parenting. Other courts might still start with a presumption of a child predominately living in one home over the…
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Many when they hear about collaborative practice wonder how long as it been around. “Is this a fairly new process? Has it been around a long time?  What’s the history?”
These are all questions that many ask before they agree to engage in it. In part, this is because many want to know that this is a trusted process before they put their faith in it.
The reality is collaborative practice has been around since 1990. It was founded by a family lawyer in Minnesota by the name of Stuart Webb. Since that time, collaborative practice has spread around…
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Spreadsheeting marital assets and debt is an important part of any divorce matter. In a collaborative divorce, the parties have to divide marital property and debt in a just manner when considering all relevant factors. This is why out of the gates it is important to take an inventory of what is at stake.
For many parties, this can be a cumbersome task that causes them figurative headaches. Trying to determine what marital assets and debts there are, and the value of them, is not very easy. It can feel like a scavenger hunt where they are going to various…
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When individuals think about collaborative divorce, many do not realize that there is an organization that has set forth all the protocol and procedures in terms of how collaborative cases should operate. This organization is known as the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. They are often referred to by the acronym IACP.
The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (“IACPP”) is an international community of collaborative lawyers, mental health and finance professionals. They set forth guidelines for the training of collaborative professionals. They have also established a protocol for how collaborative cases should work.

In addition to the IACP, there are…
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In any divorce, dividing the marital property and debt can be a complicated endeavor. The truth is that some parties can have martial assets of various kinds.
Many parties do not contemplate all the marital assets that might be in play in a divorce. Often, individuals just think of the marital home. But many parties have all kinds of assets from investment and retirement accounts, vehicles, bank accounts and personal items, like everything contained within the marital home.

One marital asset that can complicate divorce proceedings is when a party has business interests. Business interests are complicated because it…
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Under a new tax law that is going into effect in 2019, alimony (also known as “maintenance” or “spousal maintenance” in many states) is going to be treated differently than before for tax purposes. Dating back to the Internal Revenue Act of 1942, a party paying alimony could deduct the amount they pay on their taxes. At the same time, the party receiving the alimony would have to include it on their taxable income for tax purposes.
This will no longer be the case. Starting in 2019, a party paying alimony will not get to deduct it. The party receiving the alimony…
Continue Reading New tax changes regarding alimony may make divorce more difficult

Mediation is very popular in society. When individuals think about settling their divorce outside of court, most resonate with the idea of mediation. While many might not totally understand what it is, most like the idea of mediation.
Many wonder why collaborative divorce and not mediation? In other words, what is wrong with mediation that individuals should think about collaborative divorce?
Nothing is wrong with mediation. Mediation is a good option for some to consider. In mediation, parties sit down with a neutral mediator to try to come to a resolution about their divorce or family law matter. In some…
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Many like the idea of a collaborative divorce. The term “collaborative” has a nice ring to it. Many also do not want their case decided by a judge in court. Thus, many look for a collaborative divorce lawyer when they are facing a divorce.
The reality is many lawyers have the term “collaborative divorce” on their webpage. They advertise broadly the idea of a collaborative divorce. This term can be used synonymously with an uncontested divorce or a non-contested divorce.

But an uncontested divorce or a non-contested divorce is not the same thing as a collaborative divorce. While both are…
Continue Reading Can I hire any attorney for a collaborative divorce?

A requirement when one party has filed for divorce is for the other party to be formally notified. This usually takes place by the sheriff or a special process server serving the divorce papers on the other party. Service from the sheriff or a special process server satisfies due process requirements when a divorce begins.
Being served divorce papers can be upsetting. For some, it can even be embarrassing. This can be the case where the divorce papers are served at work or at home in front of others (like the children).

In collaborative divorce, it is not necessary to…
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