Author Archives: Jay Butchko
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 »
Incarceration And Divorce
Life and marriage can be complicated—none more so than a marriage wherein one or both parties to the marriage are behind bars. What happens when one spouse in this situation finds it just too difficult to maintain the relationship? Is divorce a realistic option? Impacts of Incarceration on Marriage We know that incarceration during… Read More »
Unmarried Fathers Have Rights Too!
Are you the father of a child who was born out of wedlock? If so, you’re part of a very large club here in the United States! The truth is that an estimated 40 percent of children born in this country have unmarried parents. That’s nearly a 30 percent increase from 30 years ago. … Read More »
Keeping Mum About Divorce Plans
There are sometimes reasons to keep your divorce plans to yourself. Splitting means taking two lives in separate directions; you’ll have different goals moving forward, and now is the time to think about what that means for you. Developing a strategy for how to proceed can make the process more productive, and your experienced… Read More »
Does Living Together Impact Divorce Risk?
There are plenty of indicators that may increase the chances that a marriage may not last. With the rise in the number of couples who cohabitate prior to marriage, it’s worth taking a look at the success of marriage for them compared to those who choose not to live together prior to tying the… Read More »
Does Your Marriage Require A Safety Plan And An Exit Strategy?
If you feel trapped in a violent marriage, you likely feel that no one could possibly understand the difficulties of your situation. Your reasons for staying are very real: but have you considered the very real reasons that you should leave? Moving forward will certainly be fraught with many difficulties, but it may be… Read More »
The Basics Of Missouri Adoptions
If you are thinking about expanding your family through adoption, congratulations! You are embarking on a delicious adventure with rewards to last a lifetime. But you should know that the journey can be complex and challenging in many ways, so be prepared for some significant trials moving forward. That’s why it’s so important that… Read More »
When Your Marriage With An Addict Becomes Untenable
Let’s say you’ve been married for a while, and things have really changed from those early years. Instead of a loving connection, you find that your spouse’s addiction issues have completely demolished any sense of camaraderie and teamwork you once had. You’ve stood by, been a cheerleader, and enforcement officer, and a rock during… Read More »
