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How to Prepare for Divorce Deposition in Kansas City, KS

A divorce deposition is a formal court process used in discovery. The discovery process is the exchange of financial and asset information between spouses. This process can be informal in some uncontested divorces, or it can be a formal, court-ordered process in uncontested and contested divorces. Regardless of which type of divorce fits your circumstances, a Kansas City, KS, divorce lawyer can help you throughout the process. Deposition is one tool in the formal discovery process that asks questions of each spouse under oath. Questions are asked by the attorney representing the other spouse, and answers are recorded by a

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How Is Property Divided in a Kansas City, MO Divorce?

An important aspect of any divorce is the division of property. This process can be potentially frustrating and frequently takes a long time to negotiate, even with a skilled Kansas City, MO, divorce lawyer. Some spouses have to settle their property division through court and no longer have control over the separation of their marital assets. Understanding how Missouri law divides property can help spouses approach this aspect of their divorce with more confidence. Dividing Property According to Equitable Distribution Missouri is one of many states operating under equitable distribution laws. Under these guidelines, all marital assets are split fairly

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Understanding Child Custody in Kansas City, KS

In divorces and separations involving minor children, custody determinations have to be made by parents or the court. Child custody cases are often very emotional and can become contentious, even when parents are working together in their child’s interests. Parents may simply disagree on what is in the interest of their children, and this can be hard for families. Whether you and your co-parent are creating a parenting plan together outside of court, or custody is being determined by the family court, it’s important to understand how Kansas handles child custody. The more you understand about the process, the more

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What to Do If You Believe That Your Spouse Is Hiding Assets in Divorce

Asset distribution is a complex aspect of a divorce. Marital assets must be split between spouses in a separation agreement. In Missouri, assets are divided via equitable distribution if the couple separates through litigation. This means that assets are divided according to what the court considers equitable based on several factors. These factors include the contributions of each spouse to the value of marital property and the value of each spouse’s separate property. A complete valuation of separate and marital property is necessary during a divorce. In some divorces, spouses are not honest with each other about the assets they

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How to Avoid Will Contests in Kansas City, KS Estate Planning

An estate plan can manage a person’s assets and their end-of-life care and ensure their heirs and beneficiaries are provided for after their death. One of the important documents in an estate plan is a will. Your will names an executor to distribute your estate, names the heirs who will receive those assets, and lists other wishes, such as a guardian for minor children. A will can give individuals a sense of certainty about how things will be handled after their passing. Unfortunately, this may not always be the case. After your death, interested parties may be able to contest

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Establishing and Revoking Paternity Rights in Kansas City

In Missouri, there is a legal presumption of parentage when a child is born to married parents. The parents are considered to be the biological and legal parents. When parents are unmarried and have children, the state only considers the parent who gave birth to the child to be the legal and biological parent. Parents who want to establish paternity rights of both parents must take certain steps to do so. Why Is It Important to Establish Paternity? Establishing paternity of a child allows both parents to have legal parental rights and responsibilities. This includes the right to make legal

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The Discovery Process in a Contested Kansas City Divorce

During a divorce, one essential aspect is the division of property. To divide property between parties fairly, both spouses must provide information about their assets, property, and debts. This exchange of information is called discovery. When spouses are getting an uncontested divorce, this may be information they give to each other voluntarily to make negotiation or mediation go more smoothly. In some uncontested and in all contested divorces, discovery is a formal and court-ordered process. Contested vs. Uncontested Divorces A divorce is made up of several types of family law cases, including: Division of property Determining alimony Calculating child support

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How Does Child Support Work in Kansas City, MO?

Determination of child support in a divorce or separation case can be potentially contentious. The paying parent often feels as if they’re being forced to pay more than necessary, while the receiving parent may feel like they are unable to meet their children’s financial needs. Missouri law requires both parents to equally contribute to a child’s upbringing. When one parent has greater custody over their children, the other parent usually must pay child support. If you and your co-parent are dealing with custody and child support, it’s essential to understand how child support is calculated and enforced in Kansas City.

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What Is a Material Change in Circumstances for Order Modification?

During a divorce or separation of parents, the family judge sets several court orders that outline child custody, child support, and spousal maintenance. A court order is legally binding and needs to be followed. This is true whether the court order was created through litigation or a court-approved mediated agreement. If life circumstances change after a divorce or separation, there are ways to alter these court orders. Both parents and children go through changes that may require different support or custody. Kansas courts understand that every family goes through changes in life and works to ensure that family court orders

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The Importance of Estate Planning

Estate planning allows you to provide for your family’s future, plan out your end-of-life care, and ensure your assets go where you want them to. A comprehensive and enforceable estate plan is essential to secure these plans and limit the issues your family and loved ones have after your death. The Main Components of a Kansas City Estate Plan A comprehensive estate plan includes: A Will: This allows you to state the individual and entity inheritors to your assets and properties. A Trust: This document explains the beneficiaries of your estate. Assets in a trust stay out of probate court,

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