Munster Indiana Family Law Blog

Seven Guidelines For Parents Who Are Divorced/Separated And Sharing Custody Of Children During The Covid-19 Pandemic

By of Law Offices of J. Douglas Angel posted in Divorce - Property and Asset Division on Monday, March 23, 2020.

Below is a set of guidelines provided by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML).

From the leaders of groups that deal with families in crisis:

Susan Myres, President of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Dr. Matt Sullivan, President of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
Annette Burns, AAML and Former President of AFCC
Yasmine Mehmet, AAML
Kim Bonuomo, AAML
Nancy Kellman, AAML
Dr. Leslie Drozd, AFCC
Dr. Robin Deutsch, AFCC
Jill Peña, Executive Director of AAML
Peter Salem, Executive Director of AFCC

Wise steps to take before your divorce

On behalf of Law Offices of J. Douglas Angel on Friday, March 20, 2020.

If you have made the decision to divorce, you may be feeling overwhelmed with the uncertainty of your future. Since so much hinges on a successful outcome of your divorce settlement or court ruling, you may not quite know how to envision your post-divorce life. However, you can take certain steps that may improve the chances that you will achieve your goals for a fair outcome.

The divorce process begins long before your court date or mediation meeting. You can take important steps toward securing a standard of living that is close to the quality of life you experienced during your marriage. It may take some time and effort, but these steps may prove invaluable as you move into your post-divorce life.

How to make your co-parenting plan work well for everyone

On behalf of Law Offices of J. Douglas Angel on Tuesday, December 24, 2019.

Divorce will change just about every aspect of your life. From your finances to your relationship with your children, you will have to adjust and make new circumstances work well for your family. This can be complicated and emotionally challenging, especially for the youngest members of your family.

To minimize the negative impact that a divorce can have on children, Indiana parents may try and craft a parenting plan out of court. This option allows you to have more control over the terms of your custody order, giving you the ability to ensure the terms suit the needs of your unique family. When creating a parenting plan, it is beneficial to consider the long-term sustainability of your terms and how to make it work well for every member of the family.

Seeking guidance on what to expect during a hearing for custody

On behalf of Law Offices of J. Douglas Angel on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

If you and your spouse decide to take separate paths in life, you may encounter a variety of difficult choices, each of which could affect your future. If you have children together, taking measures to meet their needs and safeguard their well-being could be at the forefront of your list of topics to address.

While you and your soon-to-be former spouse might agree that placing the needs of the kids first is vital, agreeing on how to achieve this goal is another matter entirely. If the two of you cannot reach an amicable parenting plan during negotiations, it may be up to the courts to make the decision for you.

How to protect your assets

On behalf of Law Offices of J. Douglas Angel on Monday, August 5, 2019.

If you and your spouse are going through a high contested divorce, you may want to protect your assets. This can be increasingly difficult depending on how long you have been married. Couples that have been married for 20 plus years may have more difficulty keeping their assets separate than a couple that has been married for less than 5 years.

Find out how much money you have and where it is

Is your ex entitled to a portion of your 401k?

On behalf of Law Offices of J. Douglas Angel posted in Divorce - Property and Asset Division on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

Dividing property and assets during a divorce can be cumbersome. There may be anger, pain and frustration, and you and your spouse may fight over some items more than others.

When it comes to splitting your assets, you may think of bank accounts, insurance policies or the house. But what about your retirement account? Is your soon-to-be ex-spouse entitled to your 401k, too? The answer is yes, and if you need to split it, you'll need a qualified domestic relations order.