What should I look for in a divorce attorney?

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:56:09 GMT

Divorce involves many important issues, such as property, money, and your children. Therefore, it is essential that you hire a divorce attorney who can give you good advice and help you through what are often stressful, time-consuming, and emotional divorce proceedings.

First, you should hire a divorce attorney who specializes in family law or has handled many divorce cases. You don’t want to hire an attorney who has never filed or been involved in a divorce case, or an attorney who only handles bankruptcy cases, even if he or she is a family friend. The most knowledgeable attorney will be one who has dealt with divorce cases on a regular basis, and is familiar with the court system and judges who might be hearing your divorce case. Plus, an attorney who is familiar with divorces will be able to guide you through the often-lengthy divorce process as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Second, it is important to hire an attorney with whom you feel comfortable on a personal level, and with whom you can easily communicate. During the divorce process, you will often have to discuss sensitive and highly personal issues with your attorney, such as marital relations, debts, and your children. It will also be necessary that you communicate truthfully with your attorney about these issues. Being embarrassed or reluctant to talk to your attorney to the point that you fail to disclose certain information to him or her will not only be harmful to you in the long run, but it may negatively impact your divorce case. Therefore, you must hire an attorney with whom you can speak freely and openly.

Next, you will want to hire an attorney who has time for you. If you feel that your attorney is too busy to return your calls or meet with you, or if you must constantly talk to a secretary rather than your attorney, then you may end up feeling that your attorney is not adequately representing you in your divorce case. Make sure that your attorney takes the time to meet with you personally, and explains his or her role, as well as that of any support staff, in your divorce proceedings.

Finally, a good divorce attorney should always be on your side and acting so as to represent your best interests. Keep in mind, however, that being on your side may not always involve taking your side. Being on your side also can mean telling you when you’re being unreasonable, or telling you the bad news along with the good news. While you might not always like what your attorney has to say, you should always feel as if he or she is doing what is best for you.

Now that you know what to look for in a divorce attorney, you might ask how to find such an attorney. The best way to find a good attorney is to ask – your friends, your family members, and your co-workers. You also can and should interview prospective divorce attorneys. By doing this, you’ll have the chance to personally meet with different attorneys and get an explanation as to how each attorney might treat you and your divorce case.

Common Grounds for Divorce

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:54:47 GMT

First, keep in mind that you do not have to prove certain grounds or reasons in order to get a divorce. These are commonly called “no-fault” divorces. If you file for a no-fault divorce, you can get a divorce for any reason or no reason at all. In other words, you don’t have to prove anything to the court in order to get divorced, and your spouse typically cannot stop you from getting divorced if that’s what you want. State laws often use the term “irreconcilable differences” or “irretrievable breakdown of the marriage” to show that you and your spouse cannot continue to be married, and that nothing can fix the situation.

One of the advantages (or disadvantages, depending on how you look at it) to a no-fault divorce system is that your spouse’s bad behavior has no effect on the division of property or other issues that come up in divorces. To put it more simply, you won’t get a bigger share of the property than your wife just because she was having an affair for the last two years of your marriage.

Additionally, some states might require that you and your spouse be separated or live apart for a certain period of time before you are eligible to get a no-fault divorce. This time period can range from a few months to a few years, depending on your state’s laws.

On the other hand, some state laws contain certain reasons, or grounds, that you must prove to the court in order to get a divorce. For instance, one ground for divorce is “mental cruelty.” In order to be divorced for this reason, you have to prove to the court that your spouse has been emotionally hurtful to you in some way. Another common ground for divorce is infidelity. In some states, if you can prove that your spouse was unfaithful to you, then you are eligible to get divorced. Other common fault-based reasons for divorce include situations where your spouse is incarcerated for a certain period of time, or your spouse has deserted you.

There are advantages to a fault-based divorce, as well. In some states, you might not have to wait as long to get divorced than if you were filing for a no-fault divorce. Furthermore, if your spouse has done something wrong, you might be able to get a greater share of the property in the divorce. The major disadvantage to the fault-based divorce, however, is that your spouse can actually stop you from getting divorced, if he or she can prove that he or she was not at fault. For example, if you file for divorce based on your claim that your husband cheated on you, and your husband can prove to the court that he didn’t cheat on you, then you wouldn’t be able to get a divorce based on the ground of adultery.

Choosing between no-fault divorce and fault-based divorce often depends on the particular facts and circumstances of your marriage. While you can file for divorce on your own in many states, an attorney can explain which divorce options are best for you.

Distribution of Property Upon Divorce

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:21:51 GMT

Getting divorced involves a lot of financial decisions. The property, including real estate, stocks, personal property, bank accounts and other things, needs to be divided. Sometimes the couple getting divorced can work out an equitable arrangement themselves. If this is the case then the judge granting the divorce usually signs off on their agreement.

However, getting divorced is not always so simple. It is often contentious and the parties are not able to come to an agreement concerning the division of their property. In most divorces, the court is forced to divide the property for the couple.

How the property will be divided is, in part, dependent upon whether the governing state law is a "community property" state or an "equitable distribution" state. Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico are community property states. The rest of the states are considered equitable distribution states.

Community Property

Courts in these jurisdictions divide property owned by the couple into two categories. One category is the property that is jointly owned by the couple, or the community property, and the other category is the property owned by each spouse individually, or the separate property. Community property includes money that was earned during the marriage and the possessions acquired with any of those earnings. Separate property includes any gifts or inheritances given just to one spouse even if the gift or inheritance was acquired during the marriage. Courts usually divide the community property equally between the two spouses and allow each spouse to keep his or her separate property without division, though there are some exceptions. Also, it is important to note that if a couple mixed separate and community funds to make a purchase, for example a house, then the courts may consider the purchase to have been made with community property for purposes of distribution in a divorce proceeding.

Equitable Distribution

The remaining states are not community property states and instead base property division on the principle of equitable distribution. The assets and money acquired during the marriage, by both spouses, is divided fairly, although not always equally.

The House

This is one of the biggest issues surrounding the division of property in many divorce proceedings. If the house was purchased together by the spouses and the couple cannot agree on which spouse should leave the home, then the judge will decide the issue. Sometimes the judge will require that the house be sold and the profits split between the parties. Other times the judge will require one spouse to buy out the other spouse’s interest in the house or the judge can award the house to one spouse and property of equal value (cars, jewelry, personal property, money) to the other spouse. Usually, if the couple has children then the judge lets the spouse who is the primary caregiver remain in the house with the children and the other spouse is entitled to other property. However, if the house was purchased by just one spouse then that spouse usually gets to keep the house in a divorce proceeding.

It is difficult to divide property during a divorce. However, the laws are in place to help couples, their attorneys and the judge divide the property as equitably as possible.

For more information on distribution of property, contact a divorce attorney today.

Divorce Mediation

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:07:56 GMT

The goal of a divorce is to dissolve a marriage and while that goal may be simple the legal process of achieving the dissolution of the marriage is often complex. State laws vary concerning when a person can get a divorce. Many states have adopted no fault divorce statues that do not require a court to find that spousal misconduct, adultery or abuse occurred. Instead, the court may grant a divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences or a finding that the marriage relationship is no longer viable.

While the parties may be assured that a divorce is possible they still must figure out the terms of that divorce. Most commonly that means decisions regarding alimony, child support, child custody and the division of property. If the parties are unable to come to an agreement about these decisions then the court will make the decisions for the couple. Many divorcing couples want to maintain as much control over these decisions as possible and, accordingly, enter mediation in order to come to an agreement to present to a judge.

What is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation involves both parties meeting with a neutral mediator who helps the parties work through a divorce settlement. A mediator will gather information from both sides, analyze the information and help the parties reach fair settlements. The mediation process may occur in one session or multiple sessions. Each party may be represented by a family law attorney.

The Benefits of Divorce Mediation

A divorce mediation allows you to remain in control of the important decisions such as property division, alimony, child support and child custody that will fundamentally affect you and your children. A mediation agreement is not binding unless both parties agree to it. Unlike in court, if you do not agree with the outcome of the mediation then it is not binding. You still have the right to go to court.

It is important to note that most mediation agreements are not all or nothing agreements. For example, if you reach agreements regarding property division, alimony and child support but not child custody then most courts will accept your mediated divorce agreement in those areas and only decide the issue of child custody.

Divorce mediation is typically less expensive than going to court because it requires less attorney time. Parties, especially those with children who will have an ongoing need to communicate, may learn to negotiate with one another and begin building a post divorce working relationship that allows them to communicate effectively with regard to their children.

While divorce mediation is appropriate in most cases for the reasons described above, there may be situations when it is not appropriate. For example, if one spouse is intimidated by or fearful of the other then that spouse’s interests may best be protected in court. While mediation may work, it is important that a spouse who is fearful of the other be represented by independent counsel.

A divorce is often difficult. Mediation does not take away all of the difficulties but it does allow the spouses to communicate with each other and to walk away with a negotiated agreement of which each approved so that they can begin working on their future.

How to Modify an Out of State Divorce Decree

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:00:17 GMT

A divorce decree is often the result of long negotiations and difficult decisions. It is an important document that governs the financial and personal terms of a divorce. The terms of the divorce decree may be in effect for a long term particularly if there were children of the marriage and, accordingly, many terms such as child custody, child support and alimony may need to be modified at a future date. If the modifications need to be made in the same state where the divorce was made then the procedure is relatively simple but what happens when the parties need to modify an out of state divorce decree? Which court has jurisdiction over the modifications?

Modifications of Child Custody Provisions

Many people get divorced in one state and then circumstances lead at least one of the ex-spouses and the children to move to another state. When this happens, people wonder what to do if they need to modify the child custody provisions of the divorce decree.

In an effort to provide unity among the states and to clarify this issue, almost every state has passed the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act gives jurisdiction over child custody issues to the state in which the child resides. The Act defines the state in which the child resides as the state where the child has been living with a parent for at least six consecutive months prior to the commencement of the proceeding. If a modification needs to be made before the child has lived in a state for six consecutive months then a court with a significant connection to the child should have jurisdiction. In emergency situations, where abandonment or abuse is suspected any state where the child is physically located can have jurisdiction to handle that emergency.

Other Divorce Decree Modifications

Other common divorce decree modifications include child visitation, child support and alimony provisions of the divorce decree. Most states allow the court which granted the divorce to retain jurisdiction over these matters as long as one of the parties to the divorce decree is still living within the jurisdiction of the court. The physical residence of the child and other spouse are irrelevant.

Jurisdiction over child support modification issues are determined by the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, which has been adopted by every state in the nation. The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act give the court which issued the original child support order continuing exclusive jurisdiction over child support matters as long as at least one of the parties continues to live in that state or all of the parties agree to the continuing exclusive jurisdiction of the court. All of the parties may agree to move jurisdiction to another state’s court system and file that agreement with the court that originally issued the child support order.

A divorce decree is intended to be long term agreement between ex-spouses. However, sometimes circumstances change, particularly if the ex-spouses share children, and a modification of the divorce decree is necessary. In those instances, it is important to bring the modification request before the court with proper jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Moving on: Tips for Relocating to Another State After a Divorce

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:00:53 GMT

A final divorce decree is often a bittersweet moment. It is bitter in the sense that it legally ends a marriage and for many it is sweet in that the difficult decisions, anxieties and emotions that go along with the divorce process are over and the parties are free to move on with their individual lives. For some divorcees that means moving to a new state to be closer to family, for a new job or simply to start a new adventure.

Your Divorce Will be Respected in All States

Once your divorce is legally granted, you should expect your divorce to be respected in every state in the nation. The full faith and credit clause of the United States Constitution requires each state to respect the judicial proceedings of other states. Since a divorce is a judicial proceeding, it is recognized nationwide. That means that you are a single person in the eyes of the law and that you are free to date or remarry if you so desire.

If your divorce decree creates continuing obligations between you and your ex-spouse then it is important for you to let your spouse know about your move. For example, if you are receiving or providing alimony or child support then your ex-spouse should be able to locate you.

Moving to a New State with Children

If you are a parent then the procedures for moving to a new state are more complicated since your move will not only affect you but also your children and your ex-spouse. Generally, a child can only be moved out of state if the parent has the permission of the other parent or a court.

If the other parent does not agree to the move then the court will consider whether the move is in the child’s best interest. In making its decision, the court will consider the child’s relationship with the other parent, with other relatives, with his or her school and with the community. While a parent’s interests in moving out of state are not completely disregarded, they are only considered in terms of how they affect the best interest of the child. For example, if a parent wants to move for a better job, the increase in income may be in the best interest of the child and that would be weighed against the factors described above. Or, if a parent needed medical care that could not be obtained in state then the court may find that it is in the best interest of the child to have the parent recover from his or her illness or injury and to keep the child with the recovering parent. Each case is decided on an individual basis.

Sometimes the best thing to do after a divorce is to move on. If moving on includes a move out of state then it is important that it be done legally so that the parents and children can truly move forward.

Real Estate Divisions in Divorce

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:55:27 GMT

Dividing real estate, and property in general, is often a major issue in a divorce. Real estate refers to land, houses, and/or buildings that you own, as opposed to personal property, which is belongings such as your furniture and clothing. If there is anything of value at issue in a divorce, it is often real estate, which, for many people, is simply the house that you and your spouse lived in together.

You and your spouse may be able to agree how to divide your house particularly if it is worth little. In other words, if your mortgage balances on the house are equal to or exceed the value of the house, which isn’t uncommon in today’s housing market, then the house is actually a debt rather than property of any value. Of course, the issue can become much more difficult if you made a substantial down payment on the house when you bought it, or if you have owned the house long enough to build up some equity, or value, in the house. The house is worth its fair market value, or how much you could sell it for today, less any debt secured by the house, such as a mortgage, a home equity loan, or an equity line of credit. If you can’t agree on a value for the house, you should contact a local realtor or appraiser to help determine its value.

Once you have determined the value of the house, you then need to decide how to divide it between you and your spouse. There are many different ways that you can divide real estate. For instance, if your house isn’t really worth anything due to the debt secured by the property, the house might go to whichever of you is willing to assume the debt. If neither one of you are able or willing to keep the house and assume the debt, then another option is to sell the house and divide any proceeds, after all debts are paid, between the parties. This is probably the best solution when neither one of you can afford to maintain the costs of the house on your own.

In many divorce cases involving children, it may be most logical for the custodial parent to stay in the house with the children, which means that you have to decide how the other spouse will receive his or her share of the house’s equity. For example, if you decide that you want to keep the house, you could refinance the house in order to pay your soon to be ex-spouse his or her share of the house’s equity.

If you still are unable to reach an agreement with your spouse about how to divide the real estate, or the amount of its value, it is common to allow your divorce judge to divide it, according to your state’s law. Rules for property division different from state to state, but most states adopt one of two main models of division: community property or equitable distribution. A few states use the community property model, which divides property that both spouses own equally between them, and awards separate property to the spouse who owns it. Most states use the equitable distribution model, which has a goal of dividing property fairly - but not always equally – between the parties.

Till Divorce Do Us Part: Prenuptial Agreements

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:59:41 GMT

One third to one half of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Many couples who divorce had the intention of staying together for their entire lifetimes and then the circumstances changed and instead of parting at death, the couple parted ways in divorce. Since divorce is such a common way to end a marriage in the United States, couples who are engaged to be married should prepare themselves for the possibility of a divorce. Many couples, for example, chose to execute prenuptial agreements in advance of their marriage. Prenuptial agreements become very important if the couple decides to divorce and do not adversely affect couples who decide to stay married.

Financial arrangements may be Included in a Prenuptial Plan

A prenuptial agreement is primarily designed to arrange for the business or financial affairs of a couple if they decide to divorce. For example, a prenuptial agreement can legally keep certain property of each spouse separate. That property can include almost anything such as interest in retirement accounts and insurance policies, a family heirloom, a family home or a family trust.

In addition to protecting certain property from going to an ex spouse, a prenuptial plan can protect a spouse from being legally responsible for an ex spouse’s debt that was accumulated in his or her own name prior to their marriage. This type of provision can be very useful if one spouse has a significant amount of debt and the other spouse does not. It can protect the financial stability and future of the spouse who is not in debt.

A prenuptial agreement can also limit or eliminate spousal support or alimony in the event of a separation or divorce. However, many states limit this right if the lack of alimony would be unconscionable or to the extent necessary to prevent a spouse from being eligible for public assistance.

Personal arrangements may not be Included in a Prenuptial Plan

While a premarital plan can be very useful for dividing assets and detailing a financial plan, it is not an appropriate vehicle for personal arrangements. Many states have explicit statutes, for example, that prevent a couple from deciding issues of child custody, child visitation and child support in a prenuptial agreement. That is because a child’s best interest must prevail in any child custody or child support situation. It is not possible to create a prenuptial agreement that will accurately predict what is in that child’s best interest at some unknown future time when a divorce might occur. It is also not up to the parents but rather to the Court to make the final determination of what is in the child’s best interest if the parents do not agree.

Additionally, a prenuptial agreement cannot force either party to commit an illegal act nor can it encourage divorce. The purpose of a prenuptial agreement is to define how the financial and property interests of a couple will be divided should the couple divorce. It is a very useful document in that regard but couples should be aware of what can and cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement so that the agreement will be upheld and deemed enforceable should they need it.

What You Need to Know Before You Go: Moving Your Children out of State after a Divorce

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:01:41 GMT

A divorce may end a marriage but it does not always result in complete freedom from an ex-spouse, particularly if the couple had children together. For example, after a divorce has been finalized and a custody arrangement has been agreed upon, one spouse may decide to move out of state. The decision can come for any number of valid and important reasons such as a better job or to be closer to extended family. However, if the parent wishes to move children out of state when the other parent remains in state and objects to the move then the custodial parent must bring the issue before a court and let the court decide whether the move should take place.

Each state has its own statutes and / or common law concerning when a custodial parent can move a child out of state. Those laws provide different guidelines to judges who are making the decision about whether a child should move with the parent. While the details of the laws vary from state to state, the main issues remain the same and they include:

· The Type of Custody Arrangement that Exists: the court will consider the child’s custody arrangements. If there is shared physical custody of a child then it may be more difficult for one parent to move a child out of state. However, if only one parent has physical custody and the other parent has limited visitation rights then a court may be more willing to allow an out of state move.

· Balancing an adult’s freedom to move with the child’s relationship with the other parent: The court has an obligation to make decisions that are in the child’s best interest. While the parent’s rights are not insignificant, it is the child’s relationship with both parents that is of paramount concern to the court.

· How The Effect of the Move on the Child Parent Relationship Can be Mitigated: the court may consider the practical effect of the move on the parent child relationship and how any negative effects may be minimized. For example, the court will consider the proximity of the out of state move. A move from New York City to a New Jersey suburb may be granted, for example, whereas a move from New York City to San Francisco may be denied. That is because the moving parent can make the child available for regular visitation or custody sharing arrangements from the New Jersey location but not from California. The court may also consider how often visits will take place, at whose expense the visits will take place and other plans for regular communication between the child and the parent.

· Special considerations: A court will also consider any special needs of the parent or child in making its determination. If the parent or the child needs special medical care, for example, or if the move is for temporary treatment for a disability then the court may be more willing to allow the child to be taken out of state.

· Age and Preference of child: Older children, particularly teenagers, can make their preferences known to the court and those preferences may be influential in the court’s decision.

The primary responsibility of the Court is to consider what is in the child’s best interest. While the parents’ desires and reasons for supporting or opposing an out of state move are not inconsequential, they are also not the primary issue. Therefore, any parent who wishes to move a child out of state without the agreement of the other parent should be prepared to argue that it is in the child’s best interest considering the guidelines outlined above.

What to Bring to your Divorce Consultation

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:02:10 GMT

A divorce is a life changing event. Sometimes a divorce is amicable and sometimes it is contested. Either way, it is wise to hire an attorney with whom you are comfortable and who you trust to look out for your interests in the divorce settlement.

Your first meeting with an attorney is called a consultation. It is usually through this consultation meeting and reference checks that a person decides whether or not to hire an attorney. In order to make the best use of the consultation and to see if you like the attorney’s advice and style, it is useful to bring all of the relevant information concerning your divorce with you.

You do not need to worry about the attorney sharing confidential information even if you do not hire the attorney. The American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Responsibility, which have been substantially adopted in many jurisdictions, prevent the attorney from sharing information learned in a consultation except in limited circumstances if the information relates to a former client.

Since the information that you bring to the consultation is privileged, you should consider bringing the following types of documentation with you:

Any Legal Paperwork Related to the Separation or Divorce: if you have been served with any papers from your spouse or if there is already a formal separation agreement then it is important that you bring it for your attorney’s review.
Financial Information: the legalities of divorce have much to do with separating the marital assets. In order for your attorney to do so fairly and with your best interests in mind it is important for the attorney to know exactly what you and your spouse take in as income, have as assets, spend on expenses and have as liabilities.
- Income: This includes all of the money that is made from working and investments. If there is a family business then that information is also relevant. Often, your attorney will ask to see recent pay stubs for you and your spouse and your past three years of tax returns.
- Assets: Assets include real estate, personal property and, investments including retirement plans. It is helpful for you to provide your attorney with a list of the assets owned by you, by your spouse and by the two of you jointly.
- Expenses: This includes all of the money that you regularly spend including things such as your money bills, grocery costs and money spent on the education and care of minor children.
- Liabilities: Liabilities include any loans or mortgages that you have outstanding including student loans, residential mortgages, car loans and private loans.
Prenuptial Agreements or other Contracts: If you and your spouse have ever entered into a prenuptial agreement or another contract that would be relevant to your divorce or distribution of property then it is important for your attorney to review the agreement as soon as possible.
Documentation Concerning the Children, if any: If you and your spouse have children together then it is important to make your attorney aware of your wishes regarding the care and custody of the children. If there is any documentation concerning the children such as relevant medical or police records that show neglect or abuse then those are relevant to share with your attorney. Also if the court has appointed a Guardian ad Litem for your child(ren) it is important to make your attorney aware of the appointment.

Divorce can be a difficult time for many people. The right attorney can help you focus on the future and secure a fair distribution of property and a beneficial custody arrangement for your children. Therefore, it is important to provide a prospective attorney with all of the relevant information at your first consultation.

What to Do After a Divorce

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:16:21 GMT

After the final divorce decree is filed, you may feel a sense of relief that the emotional process of negotiating the division of property, agreeing on financial support and child custody is over. While the negotiations may be over, there are still some business details that need to be taken care of in order for you to start your life again as a single person.

Change Your Name

This step is not mandatory. Some people do not change their name from their birth name and therefore have no need to change their name when they get divorced. Other people who have used their married name for many years or who have children who share their married name decide to keep their married name after a divorce. There is no legal requirement that a person stop using their married name when a divorce occurs.

However, some people do decide that they no longer wish to share a last name with their ex-spouse. Those people need to follow all of the steps that they followed when they changed their name at the time of the marriage. For example, they must contact the social security office, the department of motor vehicles, their employer, their banks, their insurance companies, their financial lenders and anyone else who currently uses their name for official business and follow their rules and directions for name changes.

Change Your Beneficiaries

It is important that you remember to change your beneficiary in your will, your trusts, your retirement accounts and any life insurance policies that you hold. You might decide that you no longer want your spouse to be your beneficiary and that instead you want your parents, your children or your siblings to inherit your assets.

Change Your Insurance Policies

If you hold insurance policies that insure both you and your spouse you will likely be required to get separate insurance policies once you are divorced. Some common examples of insurance policies that need to be changed include health insurance, car insurance and homeowner insurance policies.

Maintain Records

In a simple divorce where there is no alimony or child support and no children of the marriage it may be possible that your final divorce decree truly separates you as a couple and there may be no need for any future communication between the divorcees.

However, many divorces involve one spouse paying alimony to other spouse, the payment of child support or shared custody of the children. In those cases, there will be ongoing communication between the spouses. Each spouse should keep careful records about when alimony or child payments are due and whether they were received on time and in full. If child visitation is part of the divorce agreement then records should also be kept of all visitations and any concerns about safety or appropriate behavior that might arise during those visits. All of this information will be useful to you if you need to go back to court to either enforce your original divorce agreement or amend it.

Divorce is not easy. However, it is important to take all of the steps necessary to separate your life from your ex-spouse’s life to the greatest degree possible.