Patience During a Divorce…Really?

divorce process covid

How Can I Reduce Stress and Burden During the Divorce Process? Form a Team of Support That Includes Friends, Family and Professionals

pdivorce process covidDivorce can often times be a long process. As we all know COVID has been a game changer and has affected almost every aspect of many of our lives. This is true when it comes to divorce as well. With the onset of COVID, in many states divorce cases began to slow down. This was for a myriad of reasons.

For one, people were sheltering in place and simply not going anywhere. Courts were adjusting and scrambling to achieve proper COVID precautions. However now with increasing numbers of fully vaccinated adults, people are starting to get on with their lives, and this includes going forward with a divorce they might have been keeping on hold. Courts are now faced with a backlog of cases and so unfortunately many people are finding that the divorce process is taking a little longer than previously. So, what to do? Be patient! Easier said than done, but patience can be your strongest ally in your divorce process.

Tips to Help you Through The Process

There are some tips in trying … Read More... “Patience During a Divorce…Really?”

Divorced? Here are Some Tips to Avoid Summertime Blues with the Kids

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Families Facing Parenting Challenges During Covid-19 Summertime Months

Divorced with Children? How to Juggle Work, Vacation and Childcare During the Summertime Months

summertime children divorceCOVID-19 has certainly added to the stress of the school year no matter what plan you pursued. Homeschooling, virtual learning, in school instruction, masks, social distancing, all have wreaked havoc with the traditional school year to which most people are accustomed. Now summer, and those carefree days that kids dream about all school year long, has finally arrived. However, summer can be difficult on parents when it comes to juggling work, vacation, camps and childcare.

This is especially true for parents who are separated or divorced. Trying to coordinate summer schedules can cause tension and conflict. Although there is no easy way to resolve all the issues that may arise when raising children in two separate homes, there are some tips to follow to help make things easier for both the parents and the kids.

The first thing to do is to read over your divorce  or custody decree if you have one, and/or review your parenting agreement. Make sure you have a clear understanding about what your agreement says about co-parenting during the summer months. … Read More... “Divorced? Here are Some Tips to Avoid Summertime Blues with the Kids”

Do You Have Stimulus Questions? Wonder How Much You Will Receive This Time?

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No Economic Impact Payment in 2020? You May be Eligible to Claim the Recovery Credit Rebate

Will Child Support And Delinquint Federal Debt Offset My Coronavirus Stimulus Check?

economic impact payment stimulus child supportThe U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget reconciliation bill that contains President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-relief package on February 27th. That bill would authorize another round of $1,400 stimulus checks for each eligible person, $2,800 for eligible couples, plus an additional $1,400 for each dependent. The bill was sent to the Senate for their approval. The initial House Bill provisions are being changed as this article is posted, including tightening up the income eligibility amounts. The Democrats HOPE to have a final COVID-19 Relief bill passed by BOTH chambers no later than mid-March.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS WE RECEIVE ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE and RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2021 AT HOLZFASTER, CECIL, McKNIGHT & MUES

Here are some Q and A’s from the various IRS Websites which we found that we thought might be helpful. TOP, which collects delinquent federal and state debts, has prepared the following frequently asked questions (FAQs) to address debtor inquiries regarding whether and to what extent the advance payments of the Recovery Rebate Credit (i.e., the Economic … Read More... “Do You Have Stimulus Questions? Wonder How Much You Will Receive This Time?”

The Number of Weddings and Divorces are Down Locally During the Pandemic

divorce pandemic wedding montgomery county

Mongomery County Sees Drop In Divorce and Weddings According to Domestic Relations Court data.

Divorce Rates In Montgomery County Are Down, But Why Have Engaged Couples Cancelled Or Postponed Their Wedding Plans During The Pandemic?

divorce pandemic wedding montgomery countyWedding planning can be both fun and stressful, but throw a pandemic in the mix, and it can be a game changer. Due to the pandemic, many engaged couples have either cancelled their wedding, postponed it, or made significant changes to their plans.

On the flip side of the coin, the pandemic is also playing a factor with couples who are or were contemplating a divorce.

In a recent article by Cornelius Frolik in the Dayton Daily News, it is reporting the lowest number of divorce filings since the late 1990’s, according to the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court data. The number of marriage licenses issued by the Montgomery County Probate Court is the fewest number in more than 17 years. In fact, only 2,424 marriage licenses were issued in 2020, which was significantly lower according to data going back to at least 2004.

Beth Ferrari, deputy clerk with the Montgomery County Probate Court indicates that people were hesitant to get married … Read More... “The Number of Weddings and Divorces are Down Locally During the Pandemic”

Has the US Divorce Rate Dropped to an All Time Low?

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Divorce Rate In The US Continues To Drop Amidst Covid Pandemic

divorce rate marriage pandemicThe American Community Survey data released from the census Bureau recently revealed that the divorce rate in the USA has hit a record low. According to the data, 14.9 out of every 1000 marriages ended in divorce which is the lowest rate in 50 years. It is projected, that even though we are in the midst of the pandemic, the drop of divorces is likely to continue. Lower divorce rates translate to longer marriages. The new Census Data, reports that the average marriage length has increased almost one year in the recent decade. In 2010 the mediation duration was 19 years, and the length has increased to 19.8 years in 2019.

Journalists have speculated that there is a rise in divorce as a result of the pandemic, and there have been many headlines declaring it true. However according to Brad Wilcox, a University of Virginia sociology professor and the director of the National Marriage Project at the university, this is simply not true. He was recently interviewed by UVA Today. Wilcox believes that the pandemic may have given spouses a new appreciation for their spouse. It has … Read More... “Has the US Divorce Rate Dropped to an All Time Low?”

My Divorce Timing – Should I File Now or Wait Until After the New Year?

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Covid-19 Pandemic Just One Of Many Factors That Lead To Divorce In 2020

divorce holidays

The timing of filing for a divorce can be a complicated decision. There are many factors to consider even in the normal Non-Covid times. But now there are even more factors to consider!

First off, in Ohio it is now too late to file a divorce or dissolution and get it finalized before the end of 2020. So, if that was your hope, you have missed that window of time.

I have been meeting with clients helping them formulate exit plans and discuss the timing options for filing their divorces. Here are some things to consider:

  1. Are You Safe?
     

    Needless to say, that the presence of domestic abuse is a huge factor to consider. If there is ongoing abuse, formulating an immediate ;escape plan’ should be a top priority. Figure out where you can move on a minute’s notice – perhaps temporarily stay with a family member, friend, co-worker, safe haven facility, or a church member? The existence of abuse may trump all the rest of the considerations mentioned below.

  2. COVID-19 Factors:
     

    Virtually everyone I meet with these days is grappling one way or another

… Read More... “My Divorce Timing – Should I File Now or Wait Until After the New Year?”

LEGAL ALERT: Need Money? The CARES Act Changed the Rules about 401(k) Withdrawals through Year End

Alert Key Legal Update

New CARES Act Provision Allows Early Retirement Money Withdrawl From Retirement Account Without Penality During COVID-19 Pandemic

covid-19 money retirement cares act

Are you aware that the CARES Act  made significant changes to the rules about withdrawing money from accounts? If COVID-19 and the pandemic has created an extreme hardship on your financial situation, you MAY have an option that you have not yet considered – but only through the end of 2020. Not many Americans have taken advantage of this new provision thus far.

As you may know, the general rule was that, you couldn’t take money out of your retirement accounts before you were 59 1/2 without incurring an “early withdrawal” charge or penalty. That 10% tax penalty was included by the IRS to discourage folks from taking money  out of their retirements early.

CARES Act Changes:

  1. If you meet the criteria, you may withdraw up to $100,000 per person from certain qualifying retirement  accounts without owing the 10% penalty. NOTE: This does NOT waive income tax owed on the withdrawal amount.
  2. You may ONLY withdraw the amount needed to overcome a specific group of defined hardships such as defending a foreclosure action, home repairs from a disaster, or medical
… Read More... “LEGAL ALERT: Need Money? The CARES Act Changed the Rules about 401(k) Withdrawals through Year End”
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