property distribution

Preparing for Your Divorce

November 1, 2023 | Kearns Rotolo Law

Divorce can be overwhelming whether the decision is a mutual one or not. There are so many details to address and life-changing decisions to be made when you are least emotionally able to do so; being prepared and organized can help relieve some of the stress.

Gathering the necessary documents, financial statements, and other paperwork pertinent to your divorce is your first step in helping to prepare your case. Your divorce attorney can then help you navigate the process and arrive at decisions that are in the best interests of your future. For a list of the type of documents you may need, read “Divorce Checklist: Financial Paperwork You Need for Divorce.”

Coping with Divorce’s Most Common Fears

June 5, 2023 | Kearns Rotolo Law

Like all endings, divorce is a highly emotional process, and one of the strongest emotions it elicits is fear – fear over how people, particularly your children, will react … fear over money and financial stability … fear over what the future holds. But fear, when not confronted, can lead to inaction and, when it comes to unhealthy relationships, inaction may not be the best solution for anyone involved.

Looking at these fears head-on and considering the options for handling them can ease some of the stress and struggles couples experience during the divorce process. For a look at some of the more common fears associated with divorce and some mechanisms for coping with them, read “4 Common Divorce Fears (and How to Cope).”

You’re Divorced. Now What?

October 1, 2021 | Kearns Rotolo Law

For most couples, the divorce process starts the moment they realize their marriage is beyond repair, long before they get attorneys involved and start the legal process. It can be months, and in some cases years, between the time a couple decides to dissolve their marriage and the time the divorce is finalized by the court. So, it’s no wonder that once they do have their divorce decree in hand, they want nothing more than to sit back and heave a sigh of relief. But there’s still work to be done.

Once a divorce is finalized, there are loose ends to tie up, some of which are time sensitive. To make sure you don’t miss important deadlines or forget to update important documents, it’s a good idea to create a post-divorce to-do list. For help on what such a list should include, read “Post-Divorce Checklist: Exactly What You Must Do After Divorce.”

These ‘Rules’ Might Help You Get Through Your Divorce

July 1, 2020 | Kearns Rotolo Law

People rarely think clearly or make their best decisions when emotionally upset and divorce ranks right up there as second on the list of life’s most stressful events. It’s no wonder because not only are you legally dissolving your marriage, but you also are experiencing an emotional separation from a way of life you’ve become used to. Sometimes that necessitates moving to a different house or neighborhood; cutting ties with extended family and friends or, at least, adjusting to the changing dynamics of those relationships; and learning to make decisions on your own where before you had a partner to help you weigh the options. All of this makes breaking up hard to do, as the song goes.

As hard as it may be, sometimes breaking up is inevitable. When it becomes obvious that divorce is the best – and quite possibly, the only – solution to marital problems, there are steps you can take to make the process a little easier so that you come out healthier on the other end. To learn more, read “6 Rules of Engagement for Your Divorce.”

How a Strong Support Team Can Help You through Your Divorce

December 1, 2017 | Kearns Rotolo Law

It is not uncommon for individuals going through divorce to be short-sighted and focus only on the immediate situation, which is to end their marriage. It’s a very emotional time for everyone involved and often decisions are made from the heart, not the head. But this tendency towards rash judgment can have detrimental consequences down the line.

While most people have some sort of support team in place – family and friends to help them get through the most emotional days — you might need a little more than a best friend’s shoulder to lean on. A strong team of professionals trained in matters relating to divorce and family law can help you come out on the other side of divorce both emotionally and financially sound. To learn more about who you may need on your team, read the recent Forbes magazine article “Considering Divorcing? This Is Your Single Most Important Decision.”

Facing a Divorce? Take Steps to Protect Yourself and Your Children

May 1, 2017 | Kearns Rotolo Law

Not all couples facing divorce do so amicably. Those who do usually fare better in the long-run; for those who don’t, however, a little preparation can help you avoid making serious mistakes both during the divorce process and in its aftermath.

Individuals involved in contentious divorces have found themselves left in dire financial straits, or have lost their homes or even their children because they failed to take precautions before proceeding with their divorce. A recent article on workingmother.com offered guidelines for preparing for divorce in order to protect both you and your children legally, financially, and physically. For details, read “How to Prepare Yourself and Your Children for a Divorce.”

Saving Your Credit Rating Through Divorce

March 6, 2017 | Kearns Rotolo Law

Most people work hard to establish a good credit rating and even harder to maintain it once it is achieved. To have a good credit score jeopardized by the actions of another person would be devastating, but that’s what could happen if a husband and wife fail to discuss how to handle their debt in the event of a divorce.

Married couples commonly have shared accounts and financial obligations – mortgages, credit cards, and car loans, to name a few. The actions of one spouse can impact the credit rating of the other spouse not only during the marriage, but even after the couple separates. To learn how to protect your credit score in the midst of your divorce, read “What Happens to Your Credit When You Get Divorced?”