Can I Get My Child Support Changed Due to COVID-19?
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
Release Date: 06/15/2020
Dealing With Mortgage Debt and Refinancing After Divorce
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
Divorcing couples often find themselves at a loss when trying to determine how to handle what is often their largest asset, the family home. Who stays in the home? What does the person who is leaving the home do for a substitute home? How do you finance these decisions?
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What is a Guardian Ad Litem? with Hollie Bennett
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
In this episode, Leigh Sellers speaks with Hollie Bennett of Palmetto Guardian and Adoption Services about her work as a guardian ad litem. They examine what the position of a guardian ad litem entails and their various responsibilities related to child custody cases. Guardian ad litem are assigned by the court to advocate for the children, conducting a fair, balanced, and impartial investigation by collecting information through interviews, home visits, and other means.
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Can I Get My Child Support Changed Due to COVID-19?
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
The world has been facing a public health crisis that has caused significant economic changes and uncertainty. In the first two quarters of the year, families that are both intact and separated are facing increasing financial problems and struggles. More so for the latter, if one parent is obligated by the court to pay child support. But, with the ongoing pandemic, are there laws in place that allow for modification of child support?
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How Do You Raise Kids With Your Ex?
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
One of the more prominent narratives surrounding separation and divorce involves ex-spouses being at each other’s throats and constantly arguing with one another. Such a hostile environment not only affects the former couple but negatively impacts their children as well. While separation and divorce are difficult for everyone involved, a happy co-parenting ending with your ex is a very real possibility.
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How You're Screwing Up Your Divorce Case
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
The outcome of divorce and custody cases isn’t just dependent on your attorney or the judge. Believe it or not, your attitude and decisions during the whole process are going to affect how it all works out in the end. You have a lot of control over your own success, and the divorce attorney is there to guide you along the way in terms of the legal implications and ramifications of your situation.
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Alcoholism and Child Custody with Chris Beck of Soberlink
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
Child custody cases are often the toughest types of cases that go through family court. Far too often, those cases involve parents with alcohol and substance abuse issues. Some states, including North Carolina, allow for alcohol monitoring systems in child custody cases. In this episode, we talk with Chris Beck of Soberlink, a modern tool that helps parents struggling with alcohol abuse stay involved in their children's lives.
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What is a Custody Evaluation? with Dr. Sean Knuth
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
Child custody cases are often the toughest types of cases in family court. Frequently, lawyers must call upon experts outside the legal field for assistance. In this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore what a custody evaluation is, who is involved, and how it can affect your child custody case.
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What is a Divorce Coach? With Sandra Lee of Emerge Victorious
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore what a divorce coach does and explore how utilizing a coach can help you navigate your divorce. Today's conversation is with Sandra Lee, a divorce coach in Charlotte, NC, with more than 20 years of experience.
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Do I Need a Prenup ?
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
You did the proposal, the ring, and the "yes!" Now, you're attacking your wedding planning To-Dos. The modern wedding planning to-do list frequently includes some variation of "discuss getting a prenup." On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore the question of whether you need a prenuptial agreement or "prenup."
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How Do You Pick a Therapist?
Welcome to Splitsville | Navigating Divorce in a Modern World
Often a breakup is too stressful for a person to handle on their own. Divorce attorneys are often asked for recommendations on finding a good therapist. On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we explore how to pick a therapist and the therapist's role in helping you through a divorce.
info_outlineThe world has been facing a public health crisis that has caused significant economic changes and uncertainty. In the first two quarters of the year, families that are both intact and separated are facing increasing financial problems and struggles. More so for the latter, if one parent is obligated by the court to pay child support. But, with the ongoing pandemic, are there laws in place that allow for modification of child support?
Touchstone Family Law founder Leigh Sellers explores the process for applying to have child support recalculated and modified, with an emphasis on the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Leigh discusses the five areas that impact the decision, including significant changes in income sources, cost, and availability of health insurance and childcare. 3:08 If you want the modification, you need to ask, so it is imperative that you speak with your attorney and ex-spouse as soon as possible. 7:33
Leigh also describes how the process for requesting changes will be different if you have a court order versus an agreement or contract with the other parent. In the latter case, the court will be focused more on a child’s needs rather than changes in circumstances, so modifying such agreements may be more challenging. 09:36
And because of COVID-19, courts not only have an increasing backlog of cases, they are not attending to non-emergency matters at this point. With that in mind, it may be beneficial to explore other options that can avoid a lengthy legal process. 11:21 Alternative dispute resolutions including mediation, arbitration, and a collaborative approach are becoming exponentially more popular in light of the pandemic to develop short and long-term solutions. 13:18
Ultimately, it’s important that you seek legal counsel if and when you feel it has become necessary to modify the terms of your child support order or agreement. As you consider your options, you can get prepared by gathering necessary documents, figures, and other required information for your case. 14:37
The insights and views presented in “Welcome to Splitsville” are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. If you’re ready for compassionate and reliable legal guidance on your journey through divorce, contact Leigh Sellers and her team at www.TouchstoneFamilyLaw.com