Navigating the New School Year as a Divorced Parent
For kids, the summer always seems to go too fast. However, even though it’s still summertime, some of us already have back-to-school on our minds. If you went through or finalized a divorce over the summer, you may have some concerns or questions about your child returning to school this year. Even if you and…
Read MoreIncreasing Numbers of Women are Now Paying Alimony and Child Support in Divorce
As more women play the role of breadwinner in the family, when those marriages end, those women are paying alimony and child support. According to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), more than half of the 1,650 attorneys participating in their poll reported seeing an increase in mothers paying alimony…
Read MoreMissing Children at the U.S. Border and Breaking Up Immigrant Families: Clearing Up the Confusion
The latest patently hostile treatment of immigrants to the United States at the U.S.-Mexico border has erupted into a confusing mashup of two distinct issues regarding undocumented immigrants and unaccompanied children. We are going to untangle these two issues and try to bring some clarity to an emotionally-charged situation brewing at the border. The issue…
Read MoreIt Was a Great Wedding… But Was it Legal?
The Universal Life Church (ULC), an online self-described non-denominational religious organization, has been in operation for more than 60 years. Members can become ordained, instantly and for free, online and become empowered to perform functions that traditional ministers can, like weddings or other ceremonies. There are many sites that offer online ordination, but the ULC…
Read MoreHow Can I Get a Bank Account as an Undocumented Immigrant?
As an undocumented immigrant, you may think you’re unable to open a bank account for savings and checking. However, this is untrue and, if you can, you should consider keeping your money in the bank. Using a local financial institution has many advantages that can help you with your life in Tennessee and the United…
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions About Stepparent Adoption in Tennessee
Families fit so many diverse descriptions now. Many children have closely bonded relationships with their parent’s spouse as if that person was a legal parent. Sometimes families want to formalize this relationship through stepparent adoption. While stepparent adoptions are the most common type of adoption, it is not always the right choice for everyone. The…
Read MoreThe Department of Justice Has Ended a Legal Advice Program for Detained Immigrants
The Vera Institute of Justice is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve justice systems that ensure fairness, promote safety and strengthen communities. The U.S. Department of Justice announced on April 10 that it will be halting the Vera Institute’s Legal Orientation Program (LOP) as of April 30th. The LOP program serves more than…
Read MoreParent’s Fears about Brain Injury from Football Ignites Custody Dispute
In a time when groundbreaking research studies are revealing the dangers and the long-term consequences of concussion, many parents find themselves in disagreement about whether their child should play football. When those parents are divorced and share custody of the child, things can get complicated. The New York Times highlighted the story of a Pennsylvania…
Read MoreAmid ICE Raids and Lawsuits, California Stands by Its Sanctuary Cities
At the end of February, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids and arrested more than 150 people in the San Francisco Bay area who were reportedly in violation of federal immigration laws. A story on CBSNews.com reports that about half of the individuals arrested in the raid had past criminal convictions in…
Read MoreWho Survives Divorce Better – Men or Women?
Divorce represents a significant loss. Whether you are the party who initiated the divorce, or the one surprised by it, each party suffers the same losses, but men and women tend to process their sense of loss in different ways. These are, of course, over generalizations that pre-suppose that all women and all men might…
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