When many Missouri couples think about divorce, they often think about handling it through litigation. This can be an expensive and difficult way to end a marriage due to the fact that it pits former couples against each other when arguing their views on property division and other divorce legal issues in front of a judge. However, there are alternatives, such as divorce arbitration.
Divorce arbitration as an alternative to litigation
When mediation will not work for a divorcing couple
For some Missouri couples whose marriages are coming to an end, getting a divorce through mediation instead of battling the case out in court is appealing. For example, mediation is usually more affordable than litigation and it allows the couple to work together to reach an agreement instead of putting the ultimate decision in the hands of the judge. However, mediation is not for everyone, especially if the couple has a violent history.
Why prenuptial agreements might be a good idea
In Missouri, it is not uncommon for people who are preparing to get married to be asked by their fiancés to sign prenuptial agreements. While this may be viewed as unseemly by some, prenuptial agreements may be important and help the marriages to be stronger.
Health insurance battle leads to delayed divorce plans
Many Missouri residents likely remember what the health care industry was like prior to the introduction of the Affordable Care Act. Those who were not married or otherwise part of an employer plan often faced high premiums and the possibility of being denied coverage for having a pre-existing condition. Republicans in Congress are looking at ways to repeal the ACA and replace it with a new plan.
Learning about parenting agreements
Missouri parents who are going through a divorce may be able to come to a child custody resolution without having to resort to litigation and having a judge make the decision. This can result from engaging in informal negotiations with or without the assistance of their respective attorneys or by using alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation.
Deciding whether to get a prenuptial agreement
Some Missouri couples who are planning on getting married might want to consider a prenuptial agreement. In 2010, a Harris Interactive poll found that 15 percent of people who were divorced regretted the lack of a prenup. Furthermore, there have been high-profile celebrity cases in which people have paid out a considerable amount of their estate in a divorce.
Blending families means blended finances
When Missouri residents are remarrying and creating a blended family, there can be a range of concerns in their minds. This has become a fact of life, and many children are living in blended families that include step- and half-siblings or step-parents.
Modifying a child support order after changing jobs
For Missouri parents who are required to pay child support, the laws can be complex and difficult to understand. If a non-custodial parent has a change in their financial situation, such as a new job, they may have to pay more or be allowed to pay less child support.
Mary J. Blige ordered to pay spousal support despite prenup
Missouri residents likely know Mary J. Bilge best for her genre-defining rhythm and blues albums including the Grammy Award-winning 'The Breakthrough", but they may not know that the 46-year-old singer, songwriter and actress is currently mired in a contentious divorce. Bilge filed for divorce in July 2016 after more than a decade of marriage, and celebrity gossip websites have speculated that it was her husband's philandering that prompted her to take legal action.
How celebrity couples get divorced
For many Missouri couples going through divorce, the process can be very complex and time-consuming. As such, they may wonder how celebrity couples manage to go through their own divorces while continuing to work and staying in the spotlight.
