Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Am I Entitled To Social Security Benefits Based On My Former Spouse’s Record?
If you are getting or are already divorced and are looking for a few extra dollars each month, your former spouse’s social security benefits may be the answer. Regardless of whether or not your ex has remarried, there are certain conditions under which you are entitled to benefits based on their work record. Conditions… Read More »
Missouri Alimony Questions Answered
For anyone contemplating divorce, the list of questions about how to proceed and what to expect may seem endless. In particular, concerns about financial arrangements loom because both parties will be affected by them to a rather large extent. When it comes to spousal support, it’s worth understanding Missouri law in order to gauge… Read More »
Can I Get Custody Of My Child If I’m Not Married To The Mother?
Marriage and childbirth don’t always occur in that order. For some couples, marriage is simply not a consideration at all. In these circumstances, what rights do parents have with regard to their children in the event the adult relationship comes to an end? Is custody even an option in such cases? The answer is… Read More »
Spousal Support: Crafting A Fair Deal For Both Sides
One of the greatest concerns many people face as they contemplate divorce is whether they will have the means to live and thrive after the dissolution of the marriage. The higher earner may fear that requirements for spousal support will decimate any chance of a future, while a partner who never worked outside the… Read More »
What Can You Do If You Lose Custody In Missouri?
Custody matters in Missouri generally lean toward awarding joint custody in a divorce, with the underlying belief being that a child is best served by having frequent and easy access to both parents. Even so, parents are sometimes unable to come to agreements related to a parenting plan, leaving the court to select one… Read More »
Playing Dirty In Divorce Can Boomerang
If you are going to divorce your spouse, you may have feelings of resentment, anger, and shame. Perhaps you were married to a really awful person, and you’ve been emotionally devastated time and again. You’ve suffered promises for a better life, and ridden the roller coaster of hope and disappointment one too many times. … Read More »
How Can Mental Health Issues Affect Your Divorce?
Marriage can be a source of satisfaction and joy, as well as of frustration and despair. Without question, mental health issues can complicate a marriage, straining ties and leaving one or both partners to consider divorce. If you find yourself contemplating the end of your marriage and mental health issues are a factor, you… Read More »
Understanding Child Support In Missouri
One of the most important and often misunderstood aspects of any divorce involving children is child support. Parents who pay tend to think they’re forking over luxury money, and custodial parents who receive it are inclined to think it’s never enough. How are payment amounts determined, and how are they to be spent? Is… Read More »
Is Your Ex Failing To Adhere To The Parenting Plan?
If you’ve been battling your ex over visitation, you may be missing out on valuable time to bond with your child(ren). Not only is this unfair to you and your child(ren), it is also likely in violation of a court order. You do have recourse, in the form of a Motion for Family Access…. Read More »
Who Gets Fido In The Divorce?
As you contemplate divorce, you realize that you really wouldn’t miss your spouse one bit were you to part ways. Unfortunately, there’s another matter that is tugging at your heartstrings: the family pet. That’s where your real attachment lies. So if you go forward with the decision to end the marriage, what are your… Read More »
