Do you and your new partner have children from prior relationships and are now considering blending your families? Watching your loved ones come together as a family is truly beautiful, but you may encounter some stresses and frustrations along the road as you try to make it happen. You may feel concerned about whether everyone will get along or if your children will feel unsettled by the idea. Read on to discover Read More
5 Factors Arkansas Courts Consider When Determining Alimony Payments
Alimony, also called “spousal maintenance” or “spousal support,” is the court-ordered provision that one spouse must pay the other after a divorce. In Arkansas, the amount of alimony awarded, and for how long, depends on one party’s need and the other party’s capacity to pay. The judge will also take some other factors into consideration when awarding alimony. In this blog post, we’ll be examining 5 of those Read More
Served With Divorce Papers? Here’s What to Do Next
Whether divorce was well-anticipated or comes as a complete shock, the process that kickstarts the divorce proceedings usually comes in the form of being served. When this happens, you need to take instant action to safeguard your legal rights and future. Here are 4 things to do after you have been served with divorce papers: 1. Read the documents It is essential for an individual to read the divorce documents Read More
Considering Divorce? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions First
When it comes to divorce, there are many variables to consider, so it is not in your best interest to make a fast choice. Unless you're in an abusive relationship (whether physical, emotional, or economic), it is best to carefully consider your next step. Before moving forward with a divorce, here are the questions you need to ask yourself. Question #1: Is My Marriage Really Over? Have your emotions truly diminished Read More
What to Expect at a Temporary Hearing
A temporary hearing occurs when one person seeks some sort of preliminary order until the matter is finally resolved. Most commonly, these hearings are part of a divorce proceeding, but may also occur when a grandparent or other figure seeks custody of a child when the parents cannot provide proper care. Temporary court hearings are much shorter than final hearings, so you should be sure that you know exactly what Read More
A Brief Q&A on Arkansas Protective Orders
At OMG, we receive several questions about protective orders. In this blog, we’ve outlined some of the most common questions and our answers to them. 1. What is an Order of Protection? A Protection Order is civil court order for a victim of domestic violence that is signed by a judge. The protection order is designed to prevent an abuser from harassing, threatening, stalking or committing violent acts Read More
Understanding Your Rights as a Father Without Established Paternity
Some fathers feel like they're getting the raw end of the deal when it comes to parental responsibility, but state laws specify today that courts can't consider gender as a factor, so both parents have equal opportunities to get custody. Historically speaking, unwed fathers had few parental rights - a biological mother could easily prevent a biological father from forming a legal relationship with his own child. Read More
Splitting Up Is Hard to Do: The Factors Arkansas Courts Consider When Dividing Property in a Divorce
Divorce often looks like a series of complicated issues, like child custody and property division, revolving around the already complex matter of a breakup between two partners. Unfamiliar legal concepts can add to that confusion, making it difficult to envision the next steps on your road to a finalized divorce. Let’s start by clearing up the concept of marital property division in the state of Arkansas. Each Read More
Understanding Emergency Custody
In all cases involving child custody or child support, Arkansas courts will use the child’s best interests as the basis for every decision. Once a divorce has been finalized, the courts will have issued orders on matters like division of property, child support, custody, and alimony if applicable. While these are technically final decisions, circumstances can always change in the lives of divorced parents or their Read More
Don’t Sabotage Your Custody Efforts
When you are going through a divorce, things can get heated, and emotions can run high. It’s a difficult time, and it can be hard to remain calm and do what’s best for yourself and your children. Without even knowing they are doing so, many people do things that hurt their own case. We thought we’d cover a few of these things in this week’s blog, so you know things to watch out for in your own behavior so as not Read More
