Lakewood Law Blog

Family law: Divorcing with kids during the holidays

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery posted in family law on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

Most people, including family law attorneys, would agree that divorce is one of the most challenging life events a family will ever face. When the divorce is still ongoing during Christmas or other major holidays, these challenges can increase even more. Some issues that may arise during a holiday divorce include the following:

Dividing the festivities between each parent
Making sure the children get equal time with each parent
How to handle gift-giving for the kids
Making sure the children have contact with their grandparents

Most parents would prefer to avoid divorcing over the holidays, but sometimes, a divorce takes longer than anticipated. In other cases, perhaps the couple simply could not wait any longer to make the break. Whatever the reason, getting a holiday divorce can and does happen.

Is it possible to get credit after a personal bankruptcy?

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery posted in bankruptcy on Friday, November 30, 2018.

Most people look at filing a bankruptcy as the end. They typically believe that accepting what feels like an extreme solution marks the end of their lifestyle, the end of their good name and the end of ever having access to credit again.

It is true that bankruptcy is an end in that it will put many of your financial hardships to rest once and for all, but it is a beginning as well. Having a fresh financial start is the beginning of a new foundation upon which to continue building your life. While it might be difficult to acquire new credit at first, it is certainly possible if you are patient and careful about your credit options. Below are a few tips Colorado residents can use to begin rebuilding credit in the wake of a bankruptcy filing.

Ask a bankruptcy lawyer for advice to ensure that your credit rebuilding efforts will not exceed your finances.
Apply for a secured credit line (this means making a deposit upfront) with which to make new purchases.
Be sure to pay all or most of your new credit debt as early as possible and never miss a payment or make a late payment.
After using your new credit line for a while, take out small personal loans that you can pay back quickly.

Same-sex Colorado couples should seek divorce advice in advance

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery posted in same-sex divorce on Saturday, November 24, 2018.

In 2014, Colorado's 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. When they did, it gave those involved in same-sex relationships the right to marry. It also left many long-term couples questioning what impact, if any, that the elimination of the law from the books would have on them if they looked to split up.

Since gay marriage wasn't recognized in Colorado until the Defense of Marriage Act was declared unconstitutional in 2014, many same-sex couples simply lived together much like any other married couple for decades. Once the law was declared unconstitutional, it made legal analysts question whether these couples would be considered, by default, a party to a common law marriage.

FAQ: Bankruptcy and your credit report

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Thursday, November 22, 2018.

Bankruptcy may be the course of action you need to take to get your financial standing in check. However, the impact of filing for bankruptcy follows you for quite some time.

Bankruptcy results in a big hit to your credit report. Here are some of the most common questions people in Colorado have regarding bankruptcy. The accompanying answers should help put your mind at ease.

Surprising reasons why you should sign a prenup

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery posted in family law on Thursday, November 15, 2018.

It's still common for people to get married without signing a prenuptial agreement even after hearing all the horror stories that come with every divorce in the Lakewood area. A prenuptial agreement can wind up saving you thousands of dollars and quite a lot of stress. Let's take a look at some surprising reasons why you should sign a prenup.

Student loans are frightening, but you shouldn't be too worried about them if your future spouse is bringing them into the marriage. You won't take on this debt in marriage, but what if you want to help pay them down while married? You can write into a prenup that you want to be compensated for the amount of the student loans you helped pay while married.

What will the court decide about child custody modification?

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.

At the time of your divorce, you and your former spouse put together a child custody agreement that has worked and satisfied you both for the most part. Now you want to modify that agreement. Do you have a valid reason? What will the court decide?

Requested change

What to consider when you're facing bankruptcy and divorce

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery posted in bankruptcy on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

If financial issues contributed to the end of your marriage, you're not alone. A little under a quarter of divorces are caused by money problems and/or disagreements between spouses involving money.

Therefore, it's not surprising that many couples face the possibility of divorce and bankruptcy at the same time and wonder which process they should address first. Whether you file for divorce or bankruptcy first will depend on your particular situation.

How co-parents can work together to deal with a picky eater

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery posted in family law on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

Most parents have to deal with a child who's a picky eater at some point. As kids grow up and learn how to assert their opinions, they may rebel against eating the healthy foods their parents serve them in the hope of getting something tastier.

Dealing with a picky eater can be particularly challenging when you're parenting across two households. If your co-parent isn't much of a cook and regularly opts for fast food, kids are often more likely to reject the healthier fare that their other parent serves.

Home renovation credit card debt totaled $141 billion last year

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery posted in bankruptcy on Friday, October 26, 2018.

Many Americans whose homes are worth considerably more than they paid for them have a comfortable amount of equity. However, when they decide to make renovations or upgrades, they're increasingly using their credit cards rather than applying for home equity loans.

A third of home improvement expenses last year were paid for with credit cards. These weren't just minor renovations. Over a quarter (28 percent) of renovations with a tab of at least $50,000 were paid for at least in part by credit cards. The total amount of home renovation costs that Americans used plastic for was $141 billion. This marked a rise of nearly 70 percent over the previous six years.

3 myths about bankruptcy and credit card debt

On behalf of The Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery posted in bankruptcy on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.

For many people, credit cards are a big source of their personal debt. Americans' revolving credit card debt, meaning debt that carries over month to month, has risen to over $1 trillion. That is the highest it's been since 2008.

That doesn't necessarily mean that people are using their credit cards for endless shopping or other frivolous pursuits: many people use their credit cards for medical bills, necessary car or house repairs or to help make ends meet. If you find yourself overwhelmed by credit card debt, along with other financial commitments, you may be considering bankruptcy as a way out.