Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Parallel Parenting: Practical Solution or Nihilistic Fad?
Some people feel a weight lifted from their shoulders the minute their divorce becomes final. Those people do not have minor children. If you and your ex-spouse have children together, divorce is a marathon, not a sprint. The wounds reopen every time your children repeat a passive-aggressive comment that your ex’s new partner made… Read More »
How Parents Can Lose Custody of Children
If you’re a parent going through a divorce, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to child custody and parental rights. For starters, there is an assortment of reasons why a parent may end up losing custody of a child, and some of those reasons may surprise you. It’s… Read More »
Division of Retirement Assets
The average 20-something has $10,500 in their 401(k) plan, according to Investopedia and Fidelity. This may not sound like much, but it is by no means inconsequential. And, the older the worker, the larger their retirement account becomes. The average 60-something has over $182,000 in their 401(k) account. Of course, these are averages, not… Read More »
Child Custody and How To Relocate
Americans move, on average, 11 times in their lifetimes, according to The Atlantic and the U.S. Census Bureau. Simply because a parent has children does not mean that they will be able to stay in the same city for the rest of their lives; new job opportunities, better school systems, being closer to family,… Read More »
Virtual Child Visitations in the COVID-19 Era
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives and society, and visitation rights are no exception. For many, shelter in place orders and social distancing has become just another part of life, meaning staying in contact with your children if you’re divorced is important, yet perhaps more difficult now due to the… Read More »
How Do I Enforce The Other Parent To Pay Child Support?
The court ordered the other parent to pay a specified monthly allotment for child support, but the other parent has either refused to pay, or they pay haphazardly—late and only seldomly is the payment for the full court ordered amount. What do you do? It’s not as if you can march over to the… Read More »
How Does Debt Work During Divorce?
Debt, like other marital assets such as bank accounts, real property, and many personal belongings such as cars and furniture, is divided during divorce. However, not all debt is shared equally. And, some debt is not shared at all, such as debt from before the marriage or other types of non-marital debt. If you… Read More »
Modifying a Child Support Order Due to Job Loss
The Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in massive loss of life, and crippling debt and financial strain for millions of families. According to CNBC, 40 percent of low income families lost their jobs due to COVID. Middle income workers have also seen job loss and lower wages. This is a major problem for parents who… Read More »
The California Civil Codes That Protect Domestic Violence Victims’ Housing Rights
According to California Health Report, women who are victims of domestic violence are four times more likely to experience housing instability when compared to their peers. Having a safe place to shelter is an important key for victims to be able to escape violence and abuse, which is why California Civil Code offers some… Read More »
Is Separate Bank Account Enough or Do I Need a Prenup?
According to Bank of America, about 28 percent of adults between the age of 23 to 37 have chosen to keep their banking accounts separate from their spouse’s finances. Is having a separate bank account enough to protect you should the marriage fail? In California it is wise to still consider a prenuptial agreement…. Read More »
