Your spouse alone cannot give you permission to adopt their child. You also need the other parent’s permission. If you adopt the child, that parent will forfeit their parental rights, and they might not be willing to do so. If they refuse, your only chance is to ask a...
What is a prenuptial agreement and what is its purpose?
When you get engaged, you are not thinking about a divorce. This means you are not considering who gets what property you both bring into your marriage. This is a mistake. You do not know what will happen once you are married and sharing a home. Things happen....
Custody and taxes: What divorced parents need to know
It won’t be long before 2022 is here – and that means tax season is about to start. Claiming your children as your dependents to reduce your tax burden is a no-brainer when you’re married. If you’re divorced, however, the issue gets significantly more complicated....
Could a bifurcated divorce help you?
You’re ready for your divorce to be over – but it seems like each new day brings another challenge. Your spouse can break an agreement faster than they make one, and it seems like they’re constantly filing new motions for discovery or requests for hearings. When one...
What you need to know about adopting your stepchild in Pennsylvania
In reality, you consider your stepchild part of the family, just like you do your children. However, it is important to formalize this arrangement to avoid any loose ends. Besides giving your child a sense of belonging, formally adopting them means that you can make...
Dealing with holiday loneliness post-divorce
The holidays can get quite lonely if you are newly divorced. The fact that you are no longer surrounded by your family may take the joy out of the festive period. However, life has to move on, and you may need to find new ways of having a positive experience despite...
How to talk to your fiance about signing a prenuptial agreement
Some important conversations are hard for people to initiate. For example, it can be hard to talk with your parents about their declining health or their estate plan even if you know they need to put their wishes in writing. It will also likely be uncomfortable for...
3 common errors that can make co-parenting more challenging
The divorce process tends to take an emotional toll on everyone involved. Usually, parents will have the best interests of their children at heart, and divorce settlements may reflect this. However, co-parenting after divorce presents a unique challenge for all...
3 things to remember about the use of social media and divorce
Billions of people across the planet now use social media on a frequent basis. Consequently, it is likely that you are using it too. While it is perfectly reasonable to continue using social media throughout your divorce, it is important to bear in mind the impacts...
How will you deal with custody in the holidays?
With Halloween over, it will soon be time to focus on the major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you have just divorced or are about to, you need to accept that things will be different this year. While escaping the overcooked turkey at your in-laws...
