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Do we have to go to court to determine child custody?

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child custody on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. The short answer to the question posed in this headline is: no. If you are getting divorced (or were never married to the other parent of your child), you need to establish a parenting plan, but you don’t necessarily have to go to court to do it. There are several alternatives to filing a lawsuit and going to court for child custody. However, every situation is unique, so it is crucial that you understand the limitations and benefits associated with each method. There is

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Divorce and options regarding a family home

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Monday, April 25, 2016. Few words stir up as many feelings, emotions and memories as the word home. For most people, home is the place where they feel the most comfortable and happy and where they spend time with the people in their lives who mean the most. For parents, home is the place where a child took his or her first steps and experienced many other firsts. Given the significant place that a family home holds in the hearts of many people, it’s no wonder that divorcing couples

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How to tell your child that you’re getting divorced

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child custody on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. While making the decision to divorce is never easy, for parents, breaking the news to the kids can be even harder. When it comes to announcing something as big as the breakup of the normal family structure, there are no second chances and parents would be wise to form a united front and to carefully think through and practice what they want to say before delivering the difficult news. Above all, a child wants and needs to know that he or she is loved

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Divorce considerations unique to baby boomers

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. Individuals who were born between 1946 and 1964 are collectively referred to as baby boomers and, since the beginning, this generation has been known for bucking the trend that doing things their own way. For example, while a significant percentage of the 65.2 million baby boomers grew up in two-parent homes, today it’s estimated that one out of every three baby boomers “will face older age unmarried.” According to a 2013 Bowling Green State University study, between 1990 and 2010, the divorce rate among individuals

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Is your soon-to-be ex-spouse hiding assets?

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Friday, April 8, 2016. In any divorce, money is bound to be a central issue–with each spouse wanting to ensure that he or she receives a fair share. However, before any decisions can be made about who gets what and how much of it, all assets and debts must be accounted for. In cases where a spouse isn’t completely honest about the value of certain assets or outright attempts to hide assets, the divorce negotiation process can stall and quickly become contentious. Thankfully, with today’s technological advancements, it’s easier

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Divorced parents advised to finalize summer plans and schedules now

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child custody on Thursday, March 31, 2016. In just a couple of short months, school-aged children throughout Missouri will wrap up another school year and welcome the start of summer vacation. For kids, summer is all about having fun and reveling in the fact that they don’t have to sit in a desk all day or do homework at night. However, for parents, summer vacation can present some logistical challenges and this is especially true in cases where parents are divorced. With a child no longer in school, a child custody

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Should you be taking advantage of an ex-spouse’s Social Security benefits?

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Thirty or more years ago, divorce wasn’t as common among individuals age 50 and older. Today, however, research indicates that, between 1990 and 2010, the divorce rate among this age demographic doubled. With retirement on the horizon, these so-called gray divorcees must be strategic and work to maximize income and savings. In cases where an individual’s ex-spouse was the main breadwinner, the financial implications of a divorce may be especially apparent. Whether an individual stayed home to raise children or chose a career that wasn’t

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What factors affect how property is divided in a Missouri divorce?

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Missouri residents who are going through a divorce often have many questions and concerns about how property, personal belongings and assets will be divided. Missouri is an equitable distribution state meaning that a judge will seek to distribute marital assets based upon what he or she believes to be fair. In this case, it’s important to note that fair does not necessarily mean that assets will be distributed equally. Rather, a judge will take numerous and relevant factors into consideration when making such decisions. Factors

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Engaged? Why you need a prenup

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. When two individuals decide to marry, there’s typically a lot of excitement and buzz surrounding wedding and honeymoon planning. Meanwhile, as a couple is focused on registering for china and booking plane tickets, important issues related to each individual’s assets, debts and personal views about money in general may be ignored. It’s easy to put off these types of conversations. After all, tasting wedding cakes and talking about tropical honeymoon destinations is much more fun. It often, therefore, isn’t until after a couple is married

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Missouri lawmakers take steps to promote equal parenting time in custody decisions

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in child custody on Friday, March 4, 2016. In divorce cases involving minor-aged children, decisions must be made with regard to matters involving child custody and visitation. In recent decades, the outcomes of numerous studies and research indicate that children of divorce benefit the most when they are allowed equal access to and time with each parent. However, despite a wealth of information pointing to the positive effects of awarding parents joint physical custody, many family law courts and judges throughout the country continue to favor primary custody arrangements. According to proponents

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