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The Importance of a Paternity Test in Your Divorce Case

August 12, 2020

It is common for any father to feel uncertain about their biological links to their children, especially very young children in an unstable marriage that’s headed for divorce. If you are the alleged father of a child and you believe your marriage is headed for divorce, you should thoroughly investigate any doubts you may hold about the child’s alleged paternity. A paternity test could potentially spare you significant financial burden in the future and also ultimately benefit the child by providing a clear link to their actual biological father. In most states, the court establishes paternity in divorce cases when

Commonly Overlooked Statistics About Fathers’ Rights in the US

July 17, 2020

Numerous studies over the years have indicated that there is a strong bias against fathers in the US family court system. While many signs indicate that times are changing and courts are starting to appreciate the role men play in their children’s lives, the reality is that many men entering the family court system for child custody feel like they’re starting the process on the back foot from the beginning. Judges have displayed gender bias against men for decades, and it is essential for fathers to not only understand this trend but also the fact that they can fight for

Can a judge take away custody if a parent becomes sick?

June 12, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, June 12, 2020. Family law judges have one responsibility when it comes to making decisions in child custody cases in St. Louis. Their job is to make determinations as to what’s in the best interest of the minor. A parent’s medical condition can affect whether or not they end up with custody of their kids. A judge won’t likely deprive a parent of custody simply because they’ve received a cancer diagnosis. They will probably want to know how well a parent can care for their child’s health, welfare and safety if they

Why dads may feel that winning custody is impossible

May 28, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in father’s rights on Thursday, May 28, 2020. If you ask most individuals, they assume that women have the upper hand when seeking custody of their kids. Many think that moms tend to win primary custody of their children and that dads just get awarded visitation or at most joint custody. While this may happen in some cases, dads are increasingly becoming the primary custodial parents of their kids. Fathers are entitled to the same parental rights, including petitioning for full or shared custody, just like moms. Missouri courts generally prefer parents to have shared custody of

Does a parent’s living accommodations affect child custody?

May 15, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Friday, May 15, 2020. St. Louis family court judges prefer for parents to work out how to share custody of their kids among themselves. They take it upon themselves to decide such matters on their own if the parents can’t reach an agreement though. Missouri family law judges are expected to consider what’s in the best interest of the child when making such decisions. The type of living accommodations a parent has can greatly impact what type of custody decree that a judge enters. The age and gender of a child affect the type

There are many ways to split up hard-to-value assets in a divorce

May 1, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Friday, May 1, 2020. Going through a divorce can be very difficult. It can be even harder to do if you and your ex own hard-to-value assets. Divorcing spouses and their attorneys often have to ask a professional appraiser to step in and determine the value of their assets when they can’t agree on what they’re worth. It’s not always necessary for a divorcing couple to call in a professional appraiser to assign values to their assets. Family law attorneys or divorce mediators can broker agreements between spouses about what certain marital assets are

Your right to visitation and custody as an unmarried father

April 12, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in father’s rights on Sunday, April 12, 2020. Not all relationships work out, but sometimes they result in a child being born. Just because you’re not in the other parent’s life, that doesn’t mean you have to miss those important milestones as your child grows up. Studies show that children tend to be better adjusted when they have both parents in their lives. This is why you should make it a point to establish your paternity of your child. Virtually every biological parent has a legal right to custody and/or visitation with their child. A mom or

What are the requirements to file for divorce in Missouri?

April 3, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, April 3, 2020. Most every couple starts their relationship with the goal of it lasting forever, however, sometimes things don’t work out that way. It’s when St. Louis spouses reach a point at which their marriage cannot be saved that Missouri law allows a married couple to pursue a divorce. Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Couples in most every state must be legally separated for a designated period before they can move forward in filing for divorce. At least one spouse must have been a resident of Missouri for at least 90

What parents should expect during a custody hearing

March 6, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Friday, March 6, 2020. Missouri parents who are summoned to a child custody hearing will be asked a variety of questions by a judge. The court’s goal is to determine what type of parenting arrangement will be in the child’s best interests. A judge may ask about a parent’s ability to provide financial care. Detailed financial information could be used to determine how much a noncustodial mother or father should pay in child support. Generally speaking, the law prefers that exes share custody of their kids. Therefore, those who are seeking sole

Choosing the best parenting plan for children

February 20, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Thursday, February 20, 2020. With divorcing parents realizing that equal parenting time is usually the best option for children, many families instinctively default to an every-other-week parenting plan. While this does ensure that parents have equal access to the children and that fathers’ rights are safeguarded, parents in Missouri may find that it isn’t the best option for their family. Parenting plans that simply alternate weeks often fail both parents and children. For parents, it may not be a good fit for their work schedule or for arranging childcare when needed. A week

Certain situations call for asset protection with a prenup

February 7, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, February 7, 2020. For Missouri couples who are planning to marry, one of the most common causes for dispute is a request for a prenuptial agreement. Often, a person will take this as a sign of mistrust or expectation that the marriage will end in divorce. However, a prenuptial agreement is a protective device in case a marriage does not work out. There are certain times when a prenuptial agreement is more important than others. If it is a second marriage and children are involved, it is wise to consider having one. There are

How to help children post-divorce

January 22, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. After Missouri parents go through a divorce, it is common for them to try to be amazing parents. They want to do whatever they can to prevent their child from dealing with mental health problems, getting bad grades, going to jail or dealing with issues that the media often promotes regarding children of divorced parents. However, it seems that shooting for “good enough” is a better option. Research has revealed that if parents can work together to show respect for one another and co-parent with the best interests of

What the divorce process typically involves

January 8, 2020

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. While most Missouri couples begin their marriage hoping that it will last forever, the truth is that many marriages end in divorce. If a couple is not able to come to an agreement on their own or with the help of their lawyers on things like child support and how finances will be divided at the end of their marriage, they may have to go to court. Divorce cases are handled in civil court. One judge typically presides over the case and delivers the final judgment. It is also

Actress Niecy Nash files for divorce

December 26, 2019

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Thursday, December 26, 2019. Many people in Missouri know actress Niecy Nash from her role as Desna Simms on the television series “Claws.” On Dec. 12, the 49-year-old actress reportedly filed for divorce from her husband of eight years. The official paperwork was filed two months after Nash announced that she was separating from her husband. In October, Nash and her husband jointly released a statement on social media saying that they were going to end their marriage amicably. The statement expressed gratitude for the marriage while it lasted and for the shared love that

Divorce ahead for founder of Papa John’s

December 13, 2019

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, December 13, 2019. Some people in Missouri who enjoy pizza from Papa John’s may be aware that the company founder, John Schnatter, stepped down in 2017. This followed a claim that he had uttered a racist statement during a conference call. On Dec. 5, his wife filed for divorce, listing him as “not employed”. The couple have been married since 1987, and they separated in April. In the divorce papers, Schnatter’s wife described the marriage as “irretrievably broken”. The papers, which were filed in Kentucky, also say that there are shared real estate

Adjusting to co-parenting after divorce

November 27, 2019

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, November 27, 2019. When people in Missouri decide to divorce, it can be challenging to shift to a co-parenting relationship. Many divorcing spouses have serious interpersonal conflicts, but extensive time with both parents is seen as best for child development, absent a situation of neglect or abuse. Shared custody is more common than ever as many fathers actively pursue time with their children and an important role in their kids’ daily lives. Research shows that children have higher self-esteem and better mental health as adults if they had equal time with both

Divorced parents can connect across the miles

November 13, 2019

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Wednesday, November 13, 2019. Some divorcing parents in Missouri may find themselves in a long-distance co-parenting relationship. The demands of family illness, employment and other issues may mean that one parent has good reason to move far away from the other. Still, it is critical not to allow physical distance to interfere with a close parent-child relationship. There are several steps that long-distance parents can take to keep their relationships with their children warm, healthy and loving. Kids might worry that they are being rejected by a parent after the divorce if the parent