Baton Rouge Business & Commercial Real Estate Blog

Divorce: Seeking sole legal child custody

On behalf of Bill Rowe of Rowe Law Firm on Monday, November 9, 2020.

You may have had an inclination for some time that your marriage was headed for divorce. Then again, you might be one of many Louisiana parents who were completely caught off guard when you were served with divorce papers from your spouse. In either case, it's understandable that your primary concern is to protect the best interests of your children, especially regarding legal child custody issues.

There are several basic types of child custody. Legal custody refers to decision-making authority. If you have sole legal custody of your kids, you are the only one who has authority to make decisions on their behalf. Determining whether seeking sole legal custody is best in your case can be challenging.

Did you address Halloween arrangements in your custody plan?

On behalf of Bill Rowe of Rowe Law Firm on Monday, October 26, 2020.

The Halloween season is a fun time of year for many people in Louisiana. You and your kids may enjoy going to festivals, trick-or-treating, decorating the house, making costumes and generally participating in all the spooky fun. However, this year may be slightly different because you and the other parent are going through a divorce or may have recently finished your divorce.

When creating your parenting schedule for custody-related time, did you remember to include Halloween as one of the holidays? For some, Halloween is a fun time of year but not as significant as holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Still, assuming that you will spend the evening trick-or-treating with your kids without having that arrangement in place with your ex could cause problems.

Try these 4 tips to help you cope with divorce

On behalf of Bill Rowe of Rowe Law Firm on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

Even if you are the one who made the decision to end your marriage in a Louisiana court, it doesn't necessarily mean you won't encounter any emotional challenges as you work toward a settlement with your spouse and lay the groundwork for a new lifestyle. Divorce prompts many changes in life, some of which can be stressful or difficult to navigate.

Approaching divorce as though it is a business transaction might help you avoid emotional stress during proceedings. However, you'll be spending a lot of time alone as you make plans for a new future, and you might be caught off guard by how you feel at times.

Full disclosure is a requirement in a Louisiana divorce

On behalf of Bill Rowe of Rowe Law Firm on Friday, August 14, 2020.

No matter what led to your decision to go separate ways, you and your spouse must resolve numerous issues before saying your final good-byes. If you have children together, it can take time to work out terms of a co-parenting plan, and you will have a property division settlement to contend with as well. It's understandable if you're feeling like you just want to let bygones be bygones, obtain what you're entitled to, then move on in life to start anew after divorce.

The trouble is that it is often a lot easier said than done, especially if your spouse disregards the rules and regulations about full disclosure of assets and liabilities. Perhaps, you're one of many Louisiana spouses whose ex is trying to beat the system by hiding assets in divorce. Keep in mind that such behavior is illegal, and the court will be on your side if you have evidence to prove your suspicion.

Child custody and topics that may influence a request to relocate

On behalf of Bill Rowe of Rowe Law Firm on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

It is no secret that going through the end of a marriage can be stressful, and the outcome of the situation could prompt a variety of changes in your life. Following your divorce, you may wish to experience a change in scenery, and moving to a new location might play a vital role in opening a new chapter in your life.

While in some cases this might involve little more than securing new living arrangements, the process could prove somewhat more complex if you have children. Even if the motivating force behind your desire to relocate is a necessity, seeking approval to carry out your wishes could still be challenging.

Keeping a social media post from becoming a factor in divorce

On behalf of Bill Rowe of Rowe Law Firm on Monday, May 18, 2020.

Social media outlets make it much easier to stay in constant contact with family members and friends, even during hectic times in life. If you are an avid social media user, you may find pleasure in being able to share pictures and stories of live events with those close to you with little more than the touch of a button.

However, there may be certain circumstances in life for which it could be advisable to limit your social media exposure. If you are going through a divorce, using caution with the information you share could help keep your soon-to-be ex-spouse from seeking to use a post as evidence against you in court.

How to take care of yourself during divorce

On behalf of Bill Rowe of Rowe Law Firm on Friday, May 8, 2020.

Divorce is difficult even when it's the best choice for everyone. The entire process can take a lot of time and energy, which can leave people feeling depleted. Even so, every part of the process is important, and there aren't many, if any, shortcuts to getting through it.

If you're going through a divorce here in Louisiana, this might sound familiar. Fortunately, there are ways to keep yourself healthy while still giving the needed attention to this event. There are things that you can do directly for yourself, but there are also ways to get others to assist you through this time.

Divorce: Do these issues apply to your situation?

On behalf of Bill Rowe of Rowe Law Firm on Friday, March 13, 2020.

When you recall your wedding day, you might experience mixed emotions. If you've been married 20 or more years, you might feel nostalgic or awestruck at how quickly time has passed. You might have pleasant memories about that day and the dreams you and your new spouse shared for your future together. If you're currently preparing for divorce in a Louisiana court, you might also experience feelings of sadness when you think back to when your relationship was better than it is now.

Marriage is typically a journey that includes challenges for the spouses involved. Some issues can weaken the bond two spouses share together. Every relationship is unique, which is why an issue from which one couple is able to rebound might be the breaking point for another. If you're considering divorce, it's helpful to discuss the issue with someone who can provide much needed support.

Are you thinking about custody and child support?

On behalf of Bill Rowe of Rowe Law Firm on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.

Perhaps, you're under the impression that, if you share child custody with your ex, neither parent will have to pay child support. While these two topics often intersect in divorce proceedings, it's not necessarily true that a joint custody arrangement eliminates the need for child support in order to provide for any and all children in question.

The judge overseeing your case will ultimately determine whether you or your spouse should pay child support. If you share custody with your ex, it doesn't mean the court will not order child support, although the amount of payments may be less than if you or your ex gained sole custody of your children.

What your kids may be thinking about your divorce

On behalf of Bill Rowe of Rowe Law Firm on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Are you one of many Louisiana parents who have recently filed or will soon be filing for divorce? Many people refer to January as "divorce month" because inquiries and petition filings typically spike an increase when a new year begins. Perhaps, you already sat down with your children and talked to them about your plans. If you're still worried about how your decision is going to affect their lives, you're definitely not alone in your concern. Like all good parents, you have their best interests in mind.

Children do tend to worry about numerous issues when their parents divorce. While there is no way to escape the fact that you are making a decision that will have a significant impact on your children's lives, it doesn't necessarily mean they won't be able to cope and adapt to a new lifestyle in a healthy, productive manner. Children definitely sense a parent's stress, however, so doing what you can to keep your own stress levels low may help them come to terms with the situation.