Archives

Child custody and unfit parents

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child custody on Thursday, February 22, 2018. Child custody is a common point of contention between separating Missouri parents. Although one parent may deem the other unfit for child custody, courts generally prioritize the child’s best interest by looking at the entire picture: a parent’s financial situation and mental stability are often points of focus. However, when a parent has lost child custody in the past, or has inflicted abuse toward a child, legal action may be the next step. In the unfortunate recent case of Savannah Leckie, an Ozark County

READ MORE

Paternity testing and the steps at hand

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child support on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. No matter the situation, determining child custody can invite a world of stress for Missouri parents. After the obstacles of separation fade to the background, the court’s decisions on parenting arrangements can create entirely new challenges. When there is uncertainty surrounding the identity of a child’s biological father altogether, this stress can seem magnified. Missouri law, like other states, requires that all parties agree to legal DNA testing, but does not require an initial DNA test. As Kctv5 News reported last year, one local father

READ MORE

Do I have to pay my ex-spouse’s student loans?

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Wednesday, January 31, 2018. If you are one of the many people in Missouri who is facing the end of your marriage this year, you are no doubt concerned about the financial ramifications you may experience from a divorce. Many people focus on the division of assets when they first think of a property division settlement. While splitting assets is definitely a component of this, it is debts also that must be divided between spouses. As Forbes explains, student loan debt may be one type of debt that ends

READ MORE

QDROs and divorce decrees

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. Divorcing spouses in Missouri can find many elements of getting divorced difficult to accept, including the financial blow that can accompany a divorce. Losing significant assets is never easy but when it comes time to split a 401K or another type of retirement plan sponsored by an employer, there may well be a way for people to minimize what they have to let go of. It is often believed that a divorce decree is the one document in which the parameters of any property division

READ MORE

Spousal support taxation to change in 2019

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Sunday, January 14, 2018. If you are one of the many people in Missouri who is considering getting a divorce in this calendar year or perhaps after that, you will want to educate yourself about how the recently passed tax bill may impact the decisions you make along the way. When working through the details of a divorce settlement in which assets and debts must be assigned to each spouse, the assignment of child support or spousal support may well come into play. For some time now, people who

READ MORE

Finding happiness after divorce

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Monday, January 8, 2018. As any Missouri resident who has gone through a divorce is aware, the stress from the process does not end when paperwork is finalized. Instead, the pain from recovering and moving on can persist for months and even years afterward. The important aspect to keep in mind, however, is that the struggle after a separation is common. It can be challenging to restructure everyday life activities, social circles and traditions. After the dust settles, contentment can be found once again. The Kansas City Star reported

READ MORE

Raising children after a divorce

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child custody on Saturday, January 6, 2018. Raising children is never an easy task but for Missouri residents who have gotten or are getting divorced, the challenges associated with parenting can be even greater than when they were married. Even after two people are no longer married, they must still find ways to work together for the good of their children. In this way, they are not really able to be full divorced of one another. As U.S. News and World Report indicates, the way in which divorced parents work together

READ MORE

Child support payments and low-income parents

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child support on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. For parents who are struggling financially, whether they have custody of their child or are a non-custodial parent, child support can have a significant impact on their lives. We know how hard it can be for some low-income parents to pay the child support that they owe. At the same time, we are also aware of the struggles that custodial parents may face when they do not receive the support they are entitled to. Either way, our law office believes it is crucial for

READ MORE

When emotions interfere with divorce issues

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Friday, December 15, 2017. If you are contemplating divorce, already in the middle of the process, or have already parted ways with your former spouse, you may have various responsibilities and concerns. You could be worried about how marital property will be split between you and your spouse. Or, perhaps you are losing sleep thinking about how custody will be awarded. During these times, an array of emotions can arise, from anger to depression and high levels of anxiety. It is important to prevent these emotions from having a

READ MORE

Untangling child custody disputes

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child custody on Thursday, December 14, 2017. Home is a place to unwind, bond with family and friends and enjoy peace of mind — these aspects are especially ideal for children who are affected by divorce. Millions across the nation struggle with making two homes what one used to be. Yet a 2016 Missouri law has caused many parents to develop concern in regards to how much time, exactly, they are able to spend with their own children. Much confusion has surrounded this 50/50 parenting law, and some fathers in particular

READ MORE