Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Can I Legally Read my Spouse’s Email During the Divorce Process?
No. This is an invasion of privacy. In fact, you cannot read your spouse’s emails, text messages, or other correspondences without his or her consent at any time. If a correspondence is protected by a password or it is conducted using a device owned by an individual’s employer, you cannot search through it without… Read More »
Eliminating Divorce Obligations through Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a tool used by many to reduce debts that they cannot reduce on their own. Individuals struggling with personal debt can use Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy to discharge their debts. If you are considering filing for divorce, you might be worried about the costs involved with the divorce process and… Read More »
No Matter How Embarrassing it can Be, you Have to be Honest with your Family Lawyer
In a previous blog post, we talked about how important it is for you to be honest with your bankruptcy lawyer, even if that means discussing personal, potentially embarrassing information. This advice is valid for any interaction with a lawyer, no matter what type of legal issue you are facing. Family law can be… Read More »
Collaborative “Divorce” for Unmarried Couples
In decades past, most couples’ relationships followed a similar progression pattern: start dating, get engaged, get married, buy a home, then have children. Today, although many couples continue to follow this pattern, it is not unusual to see unmarried couples purchase homes and have children together. Sometimes, these couples marry later and in other… Read More »
Issues to Discuss During your Divorce Mediation Sessions
If you are considering filing for divorce, consider completing the divorce process through mediation. Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that uses guided discussions as a way to help a divorcing couple develop a mutually-satisfying divorce settlement. These discussions are guided by a mediator, a neutral third party who is trained… Read More »
When you are Facing Bankruptcy, You Need to be Completely Honest with your Lawyer – No Matter How Embarrassing
Your lawyer is a professional. When you work with a bankruptcy lawyer, you trust that lawyer to help you reduce your debt by advising you through each step of the bankruptcy process. Each bankruptcy case is unique, and a strategy that helps one individual get out of debt will not necessarily help somebody else…. Read More »
Professionals you Might Meet During your Collaborative Divorce
Many couples who choose collaborative divorce choose it because it can be less stressful and more satisfying than divorcing through litigation. A collaborative divorce is completed through a series of meetings between the couple, Financial and Mental Health neutrals and their respective lawyers, during which they create agreements about issues like timesharing, spousal maintenance,… Read More »
How is Child Support Spent?
Child support, as its name implies, is money used to support a child. Raising a child is expensive. Not only does a parent have to spend money on a child’s food, clothing, school supplies, and entertainment, but the parent has to have a larger home and vehicle and cover the expenses associated with these,… Read More »
How is Child Support Calculated?
Child support is the money paid from one parent to the other to cover the expenses that come with raising a child, such as the need for a home with enough space for the child, utilities for that home, food and household items, and the child’s needs like clothing and school supplies. The court… Read More »
How Can I Save Money on my Divorce?
If you are considering filing for divorce, you have a lot to think about. You need to find a competent lawyer that you trust to handle your case, you need to file the necessary documents with the court correctly, you need to interact with your lawyer, the court, and your spouse regarding emotionally-charged topics… Read More »
