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For many couples, the words “’til death do us part” symbolize a lifelong commitment. But in recent years, political divisions have started to drive a wedge between spouses, leading to an increase in divorce filings. The 2024 presidential election offers striking evidence of this trend, with law firms seeing a noticeable uptick in divorce cases […]
For decades, alimony has been a part of the divorce landscape, providing financial support to the lesser-earning spouse. However, many still see it as a one-sided issue, with men paying women. But since a 1979 Supreme Court ruling, alimony has been gender neutral. This means anyone—regardless of gender—can be required to provide support if their […]
Divorce, separations, and annulments are challenging life events that affect couples on emotional, financial, and practical levels. Stories like those shared by The New York Times highlight just how complex these situations can be, whether a marriage is unraveling due to financial strain, business disagreements, or factors like late-in-life changes. Take, for example, Emily and […]
Child support payments are intended to provide crucial financial support for children, covering essentials like food, clothing, education, and healthcare. However, for years, a large portion of these payments has been intercepted by federal and state governments to reimburse welfare programs. This practice has left lower-income families struggling to make ends meet, despite support being […]
West Virginia has introduced a significant change to child custody decisions with the enactment of the Best Interests of Child Protection Act of 2022. This new law impacts how family courts approach custody cases, shifting to a presumption that a 50-50 custody split is in the best interest of the child. While this is a […]
For over 50 years, no-fault divorce laws have offered a straightforward path for couples to dissolve their marriages without placing blame or proving wrongdoing. Enacted to simplify the process, these laws have been critical for domestic abuse victims and have eased the burden on already crowded family court systems. However, recent political discourse and state-level […]
Most residents of West Virginia and those around the country understand the importance of planning for the future and how their affairs will be handled after death. However, many fail to give estate planning the necessary attention it needs. Many may realize the need and the broad concept of making an estate plan, yet few […]
To say that property division is complex is an understatement, particularly in states like West Virginia that do not have community property rules. In West Virginia, courts start with the presumption that all marital property (property that the couple has acquired during their marriage) should be divided equally. There are, however, a number of factors […]
The consequences of divorce are far-reaching, and many struggling parents question whether it will be the best decision for their families. Of course, there is no cookie-cutter answer, and what is right for one couple may be devastating to another. Family law experts say that while some couples may wonder if staying together is better […]
The first day of the new school year often sets the tone for the months to come. A child who goes off to school in a positive mood may make a good first impression with teachers and attract similarly cheerful friends. A child whose first day of school starts with confrontation and negativity may be […]
Parents going through or considering a divorce have likely heard of the best interest of the child standard. This standard is a legal term which refers to the factors a court takes into consideration when making child custody determinations. What types of factors are taken into consideration? The list of factors can vary by state, […]
Joint child custody has its challenges, but if you and your spouse want to raise your child together despite your pending divorce, it can work for you. It’s important to remember that you’ll need to coordinate your schedules, have duplicates of some of your child’s items and learn to cooperate even if you have a […]