Springfield Divorce & Family Law Blog

As people in Springfield begin to plan for their post-divorce lives, one element that often comes to the forefront of their minds is how they will replace the financial support they had been receiving from their soon-to-be ex-spouses. Those who were not the primary income earners in their marital homes may be justly concerned as to how they will now see to their own (and potentially their children's) needs. Child and spousal support can help meet their day-to-day needs, but what about unplanned expenses such as healthcare costs? If the ex-spouse was the income earner, then they also likely secured the family's insurance coverage. 

Typically, the court will require that the ex-spouse continue to carry insurance for the kids. The other parent, however, might worry about having a coverage gap between the end of their marriage and the point where they can secure gainful employment. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act can help to bridge that gap. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, people whose affiliations with the organizations that sponsor their group health plans end are entitled for continuing coverage under COBRA (and divorce is included in the Act's list of qualifying events). 

Going through a divorce is never easy, even when both parties are on the same page. However, the process can be even more difficult when your spouse was responsible for initiating the divorce. This can leave you reeling and may even cause feelings of intense loneliness and abandonment. MyDomaine.com offers the following tips to help you cope with an unwanted divorce. 

If you have a shared social circle with your ex, you might find some of them keeping their distance after the ink has dried on your divorce decree. While this is distressing, it's not all that uncommon. That's why it's so important to seek out new friendships to fill in the gaps. Join groups, take up hobbies, or contact friends you've fallen out of touch with. A robust social circle is integral to helping you heal, while also taking your mind off what you've been through. 

It has been detailed on this blog in the past that the awarding of alimony in divorce cases in Springfield is not automatic. Indeed, the court will take a very close look at both you and your ex-spouse to see where you might be financially as well as the circumstances of your marriage and subsequent divorce in order to determine if you should receive it (and for how long). Yet many of those that come to us here at The Stange Law Firm PC questioning whether there are truly any set criteria for the determination of spousal support, or whether the decision in each case is arbitrary. 

While the court does indeed consider the circumstances of each individual case, there are indeed certain circumstances which favor the awarding of alimony. These can be found in Section 452.335.1 of Missouri's Domestic Relations Code. The first fairly straightforward: if, after the awarding of your portion of your marital property, you still lack the resources needed to support yourself, then your chances of being awarded alimony may improve. Your alimony payments may be contingent on you trying to secure gainful employment, yet in some cases, that may not be possible. 

For a variety of reasons, such as a divorce, marriage, or a personal preference for a new name, people in Missouri may go through with a name change. Once this life-changing decision is fulfilled and you have a legally recognized new name, you may wonder what you should do next. To solidify your new identity, there are important steps you should take.

Per FindLaw, it is crucial to put your new name into practice. When you fill out applications and forms, put your new identity on them. When you make new acquaintances, friends, or enter into business arrangements, introduce yourself with your new name. Also let your existing friends and family know that you want them to refer to you by your new name.