Legal Tips for Families

Think ahead: If you have a family, make sure you have a will. A few estate planning documents will save your loved ones months of unnecessary stress in case of the unexpected. Life insurance is also a simple option to financially protect those left behind.

Mediate early: If there is family stress, between spouses, between step-family members or between parents and older children, make sure to address the issue early. Conflict will worsen over time unless the underlying issues are resolved. Many attorneys and counselors are trained in mediation techniques which allow family members to resolve their own dispute in creative fashions.

Think hard: If you are contemplating the possibility of separation or divorce take the time to think the process all the way through. If the situation is difficult now, imagine how hard it will be with half the resources, half the income, half the home and only seeing your kids half the time. Or worse, you could have half the resources to provide with and have complete responsibility for care of the children.

Be proactive: If you believe that a separation or divorce process is in your immediate future, take the time to schedule a consultation with an attorney. Many attorneys offer free consultations and the information may save you from making irreparable mistakes.

Be smart: Using alternative dispute resolution techniques such as mediation, therapeutic law or collaborative law to work through a divorce or separation process is the best and least expensive way to make sure you retain some control over the process and the outcome. If you and your spouse have children together, you will need to be able to work together in some fashion for the next 18 years. It is a good idea to salvage whatever working relationship still remains. Divorce litigation will only make a bad situation worse and cost you a fortune.