Fargo Family Law Blog

The end of a marriage can feel almost apocalyptic. Life becomes fractured. It seems as if nothing has a place, and you are not even sure which way to turn or where to begin. When children are involved, things can be especially stressful. Shielding them from pain while trying to hold yourself together becomes almost to much to bare at times. However, there is good news. There are ways to survive the turmoil, and come out on the other side healthy and ready to start rebuilding. Here are some helpful tips.

First, know that you do not have to do it alone. Lean on family members, friends, and even your divorce attorney. An attorney may easily become one of your best friends throughout the process. It feels good to know that someone is unequivocally on your side and can offer expert guidance when you have no idea what to do. Sometimes, having someone to take you by the hand and lead you through step-by-step is the best thing that can ever happen. As far as friends and family, let them help! There is no shame in having someone clean your house or cook a meal when life just gets to be too much.

When two parents go through a divorce, it is often most difficult on the youngest members of the family. Children can experience emotional duress and mental stress when their parents separate, and it's wise for you to consider ways that you can make this time easier for your kids. One way many North Dakota families do this is by co-parenting.

Co-parenting is not easy, and you may assume that this won't work for you because you and the other parent don't get along. Fortunately, there are ways that you can make this type of custody arrangement work well, regardless of how you feel about your ex. An important factor in your success is to know what to expect from co-parenting and to remain committed to the best interests of your children above everything else. 

Any small business owner who is planning on getting married can benefit from the protections offered by a prenuptial agreement. In the event of a divorce, a small business can become financially unstable, if not damaged to the point of closure. We can safely assume that no one gets married with a plan to get divorced in a few years. Therefore, it is not uncommon for asset protection to be overlooked in the throes of the wedding day countdown.

North Dakota is not a community property state. This means that pre-marital assets will not be equitably divided between the parties Instead, each party will remain in possession of what was owned prior to the marriage. However, there are other factors such as economic misconduct that could come into play. If the spouse who owned the business acted in a financially irresponsible manner that caused the marital assets to be depleted or significantly reduced, then a judge could award compensation to the other spouse. This, in turn, could significantly hurt the business. Also, if the non-owner spouse can show that he or she significantly contributed to the business, then a judge may find that he or she is due part of the asset.

When working through a painful divorce, it is always easiest to only consider what is in the foreseeable future. Parties involved in custody negotiations are usually searching for the quickest means of settlement in order to allow everyone to move on and begin the healing process. However, failing to consider potential issues that may arise further down the road, such as parental relocation, can become major issues that affect the entire family all over again.

If one parent believes there is even a remote chance of relocation in the near or distant future, it would benefit all involved for him or her to speak up during initial custody discussion. There are several reasons why taking such action may be necessary. First, arranging travel for a minor child who needs to be accompanied is no small task. Parents must not only be able to effectively communicate and work together but must also maintain communication with airlines and flight personnel to ensure the child's safety. The TSA has strict rules regarding unaccompanied minor travels.