Kentucky Law Blog

Regardless of whether you initiate it, divorce can be a complex emotional and financial transaction that can have serious ramifications for years, perhaps even decades, to come. But there is a path forward. It might not sound possible right now, but there are things you can do to protect yourself, your children, and your future. It all starts with taking care of yourself. Know how to cope with divorce The emotional toll of divorce can send shockwaves across nearly every aspect of your life. As such, you need to know how to cope with divorce in an emotional way that allows you to find...

Divorce is a very personal and intimate process. A couple going through a divorce must navigate decades of financial records, insurance policies, deeds, and estate planning documents. Couples often rehash old grievances while they manage frayed emotions and a stressful legal process. Many spouses reach out to friends and family for support and companionship during this time, and often through social media. Social media can bridge huge distances to help families and friends reconnect and share. Though social media might seem like a safe place to discuss private or emotional matters, its...

When a spouse files for divorce, they take on several new challenges. Living and interacting as a couple can become strained and full of anxiety as spouses wait for court dates or to hear back from a lawyer. Over the last 20 years, many couples have found that using an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to negotiate their divorce can help them emotionally manage the dissolution of their marriage and work together. The most popular form of ADR for divorce is mediation. Mediation offers a collaborative way through negotiations on property division, alimony and even child custody. Mediation...

Finances and how each spouse handles money can be a constant source of stress in any marriage and may lead to divorce. While one spouse wants to save for retirement or a kids’ college fund, the other spends a family's money as if it burns a hole in their pocket or purse. This situation may even become more exacerbated after the couple files for divorce. This type of spending may qualify as the dissipation of assets. More than wasting money, it is defined as using the couple’s joint holdings for inequitable purposes that would only benefit themselves when divorce is imminent. Common examples...

There are many details to be considered and addressed when filing for divorce, but it is also smart to prepare for the negotiation process mentally. There are some important things to remember during a negotiation, whether it is sitting down with a spouse and your lawyers to work out the details or alternate dispute resolution approaches like mediation. Preparing to settle Assuming that the couple and their attorneys are confident that the two sides can find workable solutions to all the major issues, there is some preparation that the client will find useful: Gather financial information:...