DIVORCE HQ Newsletter Archives

DIVORCE HEADQUARTERS NEWSLETTER Issue #10, April 2001

It took more than a year to develop and now it's ready!
Divorce Headquarters is proud to announce its
* * FREE child support calculator. * *

We have developed a child support calculator for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Click on a state and answer a few qusetions. It's that easy. Check it out at: http:\\www.divorcehq.com\calculators.html

Know someone else going through the process? If you think they could benefit from this newsletter feel free to pass it on to them.

Food for Thought

"Let go of your attachment to being right,
and suddenly your mind is more open..."
Ralph Marston

In this Issue:

Child Support and Extended Visitation
Credit - Debt Division and Divorce
by Maury D. Beaulier, Esquire
Divorce Humor

1. Child Support and Extended Visitation

One of the frequently asked questions about child support is if there is extended visitation with the non-custodial parent, such as the entire summer or a large part of the summer should the child support be reduced or not paid for that period?

According to the Family Law Guide at Findlaw.com, usually, yes. Courts figure that many major expenses for the benefit of the child--such as rent, mortgage, utilities, clothes, and insurance--have to be paid whether the child is with the custodial parent or not. So, in most cases, a full support payment is due, even if the child is with the non custodial parent. However, the parents or the court are free to agree on payments in different amounts during vacation periods when the child is with the non custodial parent. The lower amount for vacation periods with the non custodial parent might reflect savings to the custodial parent for food expenses or childcare.

Some states provide adjustments for visitation expenses when calculating the amount of child support to be paid.

The following is an excerpt from an article submitted by one of our professional members. For full text of all articles visit http://Divorcehq.com/articles.html

2. Credit - Debt Division and Divorce
by Maury D. Beaulier, Esquire
Divorce can have devastating financial consequence. During a marriage, you learn to budget based on a "family" income and on "family" debts. Some of the monthly expenses remain constant like mortgages and car loan payments. After a divorce, that budget changes. Income must now be stretched to cover expenses related to two residences instead of one. This can be very difficult, and if proper planning is not provided, it is not uncommon that a divorce ultimately results in the filing of bankruptcy for each party.

It is a common misconception that a court in a divorce can relieve one party from the financial obligations incurred during the marriage. Although the Court may require one party to pay a joint debt, that ruling does not prevent a creditor from pursuing either party for an unpaid debt. The creditor is not a party to the divorce action. The Court has no authority to modify the terms of the contract that was executed with the creditor.

Even in cases where the parties have an amicable relationship and reach an agreement on the issues, danger lurks. Problems with joint debts are often the result of mistakes and ignorance rather than an intent to harm the other party. As a result, if you aren't careful to protect your rights as part of your divorce and if you do not place protections into a divorce agreement, your finances may be adversely affected for years.

Dangers:

Even a debt that is current may affect your ability to qualify for new credit since the outstanding debt will appear on your credit report;
unpaid joint debt may adversely affect your credit rating and impair your ability to acquire new loans;
An unpaid joint debt may result in collection efforts and costly court appearances;
An unpaid joint debt may result in the entry of a Judgement against you;
An unpaid joint debt may result in garnishments or liens.

For the full the version of Mr. Beaulier's article including "How to avoid these difficulties" go to: http://www.divorcehq.com/articles/debt.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maury D. Beaulier is the founder of The Beaulier Law Office which has developed a large and active family law practice dedicated to providing each family law client with detailed information about every element of their case.

He can be contacted by phone at (952)746-2153 or or Visit Web Site

3. HUMOR

One bright, beautiful Sunday morning, everyone in a tiny town got up early and went to the local church.

Before the services started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking. Suddenly, the Devil himself appeared at the front of the church. Everyone started screaming and running for the back entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil.

Soon everyone was evacuated from the church except one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew, not moving, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence.

Now this confused Satan a bit, so he walked up to the man and asked, "Don't you know who I am?"

The man replied, "Yep. Sure do."

Satan asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Nope. Sure ain't." said the man.

Satan, a little perturbed at this, queried, "Why aren't you afraid of me?"

The man calmly replied, "Been married to your sister for 48 years."

I'd live life in the fast lane but I'm married to a speed bump.