Blog entries

6 Things You Should Never Say To Your Spouse During a Divorce

Matt Allen — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

By Cordell & Cordell Divorce Lawyers for Men

Divorce for men is hard, and you may be tempted to lash out at your soon-to-be ex.

But it’s important to keep your cool and hold your tongue. One unfortunate slip could hurt your case and your finances--not to mention your karma.

In that light, we’ve gone through our Cordell & Cordell reRead More...

Attending High School Graduation If Ex-Wife Will Be There

Matt Allen — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

Years ago a restraining order preventing me from being near my ex-wife was dismissed, though I have continued to stay away from her since.

My child is graduating high school and I would like to attend since the graduation ceremony is open to the public.

Can I attend my child's graduation in a public setting if my ex-wife wilRead More...

Right of First Refusal Clause If Child Care Is Not Required

Matt Allen — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

This is the exact reading of my child custody agreement with my children's mother.

"Plaintiff and Defendant shall each have first right of refusal regarding childcare for the minor children if care is needed for one hour or more and such shall take priority over a boyfriend/girlfriend or future spouse providing care for any of the minRead More...

Can A Separation Agreement Be Used In A Future Divorce Case?

Matt Allen — Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

My wife and I reached a marital separation agreement while we were separated, but we never actually filed for divorce following a reconciliation.

Now that we are filing for divorce some months later and she no longer wants to use the terms of our previousRead More...

How Long Must I Pay Monetary Awards My Ex-Wife Was Granted?

Matt Allen — Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

I lost my case against my ex-wife, and she was awarded certain monetary awards. Typically how long must I pay her this money?

Answer:

I am unable to give you legal advice on divorce. I can give general divorce help for men, though, my knowledge iRead More...

Jurisdiction Confusion In Child Custody Cases

Matt Allen — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

My ex-wife lives in another state and rarely has communication with our child, who primarily lives with me even though he lived with his mother in another state when the initial custody determination was made.

I would like to modify custody to reflect the changes in living arrangements, but I am unsure in which jurisdiction IRead More...

Can I Pay College Expenses Directly To My Child Rather Than Through My Ex?

Matt Allen — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

My oldest child is returning home from college this summer, and my ex-wife is threatening to raise my child support on my other children if I do not pay for certain expenses for my college-aged child, such as gas, increased utility costs from living at home over the summer, etc.

Since my oldest child is emancipated I have explainedRead More...

Divorce Doesn't Have To Be Devastating

Matt Allen — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

By Allison Pescosolido, M.A.

Founder, Divorce Detox®

Recently, Bethany Frankel revealed how troublesome her divorce has been on "Good Day New York," describing it as "brutal" and "excruciating." On "The View," Jane Seymour said of her divorce, "Obviously, it’s really quite devastating."

And we saw the finality of Kim Kardashian andRead More...

What Are The Requirements For Claiming Someone As A Dependent?

Matt Allen — Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

By Jill Massey

Cordell & Cordell Family Law Attorney

Generally speaking, you cannot claim a person as a dependent unless that person is your qualifying child or qualifying relative.

What are the requirements for a person to be a qualifying child or a qualifying relative?

Filing For Child Support If Parenting Time Increases

Matt Allen — Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

My child support payments were recently terminated after a child custody modification that increased my parenting time resulting in shared 50/50 physical custody.

I would like to receive child support from my ex-wife because she makes more money than me aRead More...

What To Do If Your Ex Denies A Reasonable Vacation Request With The Kids

Matt Allen — Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

My child custody agreement states that my winter parenting time should not interfere with school.

A few months ago before we booked the trip, my ex-wife verbally agreed for me to take my child to Disney World ithat would cause my child to miss several days oRead More...

Does A One-Time, Lump Sum Pension Payment Impact Child Support?

Matt Allen — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

I pay child support, owe arrears, and recently was offered a one-time lump sum payment from a pension I held at a previous job.

Will this payment affect my child support obligation or the amount of arrears owed? I was never married to the child's mother so I assume she would have no other claim to this payment.

Answer:

My Birthday Falls On Mother's Day: Who Gets Parenting Time That Day?

Matt Allen — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

This year my birthday falls on Mother's Day, which is supposed to be my ex-wife's day with our child.

However, I'd like to see my child on my birthday, but she is unwilling to even split time.

Does my birthday or a holiday take precedent when it comes to which pRead More...

Does Child Support Cover College Expenses?

Matt Allen — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

I pay child support and will continue to do so while my child is in college, according to my state's child support laws.

Does the child support get used for room and board at college or must I provide for those costs in addition to the child support?

ARead More...

What Qualifies As Parental Neglect?

Matt Allen — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

My wife is allowing my 17-year-old minor stepdaughter to have her boyfriend spend the night in our house.

I do not think this is appropriate. Does this qualify as some sort of parental neglect?

Answer:

This answer only includes general divorce help for men since I am only licensed to practice in Oklahoma andRead More...

Can Wages Be Garnished Without An Order From The Court?

Matt Allen — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

What can I do to keep the state child support enforcement agency from garnishing my wages?

It was discovered that I was the biological father of a teenage child, and I was ordered to pay child support, but the state is also holding me responsible for all of the money the mother has received from welfare over the years.

Answer:

Providing Health Insurance For Ex-Wife's New Children

Matt Allen — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

I still cover my ex-wife and child on my health insurance, which is effective until the time I get remarried. She just give birth to another man’s child and wants me to insure her new baby.

If I insure her new child does that set me up for future responsibility regarding insurance coverage?

Answer:

I am unable to Read More...

How To Handle Out-Of-Pocket Medical Expenses

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

My divorce lawyer advised me to get doubles of my children's medications because there are times when my ex-wife does not send the proper amounts with the kids when they come to visit.

I pay these costs out-of-pocket because my insurance won't cover it. How can I get reimbursed for these expenses? Can I contact my children's insuraRead More...

Does The Court Consider Expenses When Calculating Child Support?

Matt Allen — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

I pay child support and even though my income has increased since the order was entered, so have my living expenses.

My ex-wife, who is working and earning less and less, wants to raise my child support because she says the court doesn't care about my exRead More...

Removing Name From Marital Home Mortgage Before Ex Defaults

Matt Allen — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Question:

My ex-wife was awarded the marital home and all debts associated with it, and I signed the quit claim deed relinquishing all titles and rights to the residence.

However, the mortgage company said I am still legally responsible for the home. My ex-wife is about to go into foreclosure on theRead More...