Why Try Mediation?

  If you are considering a Rhode Island divorce, try Rhode Island Divorce mediation before going forward with the process. Rhode Island Divorce Mediation is a non-adversarial method of obtaining a divorce, and it is favored by those who wish to avoid court. For those who feel that they cannot be in the same room as their spouse, they need not worry. A Rhode Island Divorce mediator will ensure that the conversation stays productive and that nothing detrimental is said.
 Be sure that your Rhode Island Divorce mediator has a firm grasp on the state’s divorce laws before proceeding. It also helps when your Rhode Island Divorce mediator has a law degree or mental health degree, but that does not mean that mediation is an attempt to save your marriage. Some people have the misconception that Rhode Island Divorce mediators want to encourage a couple to reconcile, but this is not the case. Rhode Island Divorce mediation helps parents create a stable parenting plan without putting the child in the middle.
 There are circumstances that do not permit Rhode Island Divorce mediation, and this is something your Rhode Island divorce lawyer will determine. If you have experience any form of abuse during the marriage, or you feel that your spouse is hiding assets, mediation may not be for you. Let your Rhode Island divorce lawyer know any doubt or fear you are experiencing beforehand, or the process will not work to your best benefit. A Rhode Island Divorce mediator is required to remain neutral, and is not allowed to take sides. This alternative is not meant for anyone seeking blame in a divorce, nor is it meant for anyone attempting to get one over on the other spouse. Successful Rhode Island Divorce mediation should result in a win/win for all parties, and will eventually cost you less time and money.

Biggest Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes

Celebrities are always in the news for making some kind of mistake, whether it be with finances or personal relationships. Instead of being fascinated with their public lives, we should take the chance to learn from their messes. Here is an incredibly informative article about how one can learn from estate planning mistakes of celebrities.

Diana, the late Princess of Wales, left a letter of wishes directing certain effects be left to her godchildren. The letter was overturned by court because it was unenforceable.

— Read More At The Advisor

Three Biggest Mistakes Wealthy People Make During A Divorce

It is impossible not to worry about money during a divorce, especially when you have a lot financially at stake. There seems to be a common misconception that wealthy people are always prepared for major life events like divorce, but everyone makes mistakes, and this article highlights the three biggest. Read more about the mistakes wealthy people make during a divorce.

Considering the intense economic implications of divorce, it’s unfortunate that many of the wealthy are not adequately dealing with these issues. This situation is slowly changing as an increasing percentage of the wealthy getting divorced use the services of divorce financial analysts. “While financial divorce specialists complement and can never replace divorce lawyers, their role is to – from the start of the process to after the divorce is finalized – ensure the financial well-being of their clients,” explains Smith. “For example, they’re often extremely effective in providing the supporting evidence for settlements.”

— Russ Alan Prince

The Pettier Family Wins Custody Battle

A lot of media focus has been centered around a young girl, Justina Pelletier, and her parent's custody battle with the state of Massachusetts. The state claimed child abuse due to the medical care she received at the Children's Hospital, for their inability to treat her mitochondrial disease. Her parent's were outraged with the Children's Hospital, and demanded her release, only to have the hospital contact the Massachusetts child protection agency. Read more about this story below...

This is not the first time a controversial diagnosis of a new or less understood disease has resulted in a custody battle involving accusation of medical child abuse. According to the Boston Globe, during the same 2013 period that Pelletier was admitted to Children’s Hospital, a 5-year-old Massachusetts girl, who had also been previously treated for mitochondrial disorder, was also admitted to that facility. Just as in Pelletier’s case, the child’s mother lost custody of her daughter – a pattern that has been seen in numerous similar cases.

— Read More At guardianlv.com

Sailor May Lose Custody Due To Overseas Station

Custody battles are difficult for everyone, but especially military service members who are stationed far away during the trial. This is the case for one sailor, who may lose custody of his six-year-old daughter, because he is stationed somewhere in the Pacific. While away,he may miss the court date that could compromise his full custody agreement. See more about this below...

"Mr. Hindes is honorably serving our country in the Unites States Navy and cannot be present and is therefore unavailable to defend against this matter," a letter shared in an online petition by Hindes' attorney reads. "We have filed the appropriate motions and have raised the Service Members Relief Act and we are confident that this Honorable Court will grant the relief requested given that it is the law of this great land."

— Read More At NY Daily News

Casey Kasem's Daughter To File Elder Abuse Claim

A beloved radio personality passed on June 15th, and while some people are trying their best to memorialize Casey Kasem, others are trying to learn a lesson based on his ordeal. Kasem's eldest daughter is filing a formal elder abuse claim against her stepmother. A private investigator found that Kasem's wife had been cheating on him for at least six months, and that she lied about obtaining a divorce for a long time. Read more about this predicament below...

“Witnesses will testify that Mrs. Kasem has been lying to Mr. Kasem for at least two years, telling him that they are divorced,” the letter states. “What possible motive could Mrs. Kasem have for such cruelty? Perhaps the younger gentleman that has been staying at the Malibu house and driving Mr. Kasem's car could answer that question for us."

— Read More At NY Daily News

Beware Of Cheap Wills

Have you seen advertisements or billboards offering wills for $100? It can be tempting to have your will created for such a small amount of money, especially when making a will is not your top priority. It probably won’t occur to you the disaster that will result after your death, how your cheaply constructed will can cause mayhem within your family. If you do not have an experienced estate lawyer oversee the drafting of your will, the simplest of mistakes can cost your children their financial future. One case in England brought this possibility to light when a man’s adoptive brothers fought over who should inherit their parent’s fortune. Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings had made mirror wills in 1999, but unknowingly signed each other’s will. The wills could not be admitted to probate due to this small technicality, and the entire estate was divided equally between the brothers. The fall-out of cheaply prepared wills is more than financial in some cases. If you intend for certain family members to receive items with sentimental value, and your will does not clearly state that, fights can occur between family members who wanted said item. Family feuds happen even when an estate is planned thoroughly and professionally, so it goes without saying that the same will happen when a will is prepared haphazardly. Another problem with poor estate planning is the issue of updating beneficiary designations. It is a common mistake to list beneficiaries that pertain to you at that moment of time, but those people do not stay constants in your life. When your will is reviewed by counsel, it will state the beneficiary information that you entered at the time, and it may not match your wishes at the time of death.

Things All Divorced Parents Need To Hear

 Even if you still feel resentment toward your ex, you can not allow your children to witness this anger. Successful co-parenting requires an attempt at an amicable separation, so it is imperative to try everything in your arsenal to accomplish this. The following article provides sound advice for those attempting a peaceful relationship with their ex for the sake of the children.

"Keep as many rules consistent between the two households as possible. This way, the kids won't be able to play both sides. What's not allowed at mom's house isn't allowed at dad's, either."

— Read More At Huffington Post

Rich, Young And Childless Face Estate Planning Issues

For those who are wealthy and childless, the question of who inherits the wealth after death can be daunting. If you choose to give all of your assets to one friend or relative, what happens if that person passes away first? Should you stick with charities? The following article gives great advice for those in this financial position.

This dilemma faces not just the 17 million unmarried Americans over 65 who are retired or putting their ducks in a row for retirement. Charitable foundations and financial advisers report that an increasing number of young people are facing these decisions before they are married or have children. That is especially true for tech entrepreneurs who, for example, come into a large amount of money from stock options or the sale of a start-up business.

— Reuters.com

Divorce Parties Are Gaining In Popularity

Event planners and divorce attorneys alike are noting the recent trend in "divorce parties" or "freedom fests", a new way to celebrate your new status. Some people split amicably, and want to remain friends post-divorce, and this is the perfect opportunity to turn a sad event into a happy one. Read more about this trend below...

"We wanted to do something that expressed the fact that we were doing the divorce not so much as an end of our relationship but as us moving into things like co-parenting and co-business management," said Wolf, whose former wife works for him in his special effects and stunt business serving the film industry.

— Read More At Poughkeepsie Journal

Halle Berry To Pay $16,000 In Child Support

Child support is a legal necessity for those divorcing with children, especially when one parent has more income to contribute than the other. Celebrities are often in this situation, and they often have to shell out thousands every month. This is the case for Halle Berry, who was just ordered to pay $16,000 a month in child support. More below...

Berry's monthly bill will remain in effect until Nahla turns 19 or graduates high school, whichever occurs first, according to court documents obtained by CNN. The settlement came on May 30, at the end of lengthy child support legal battle.

— Read More At CNN.com

Create A Divorce Bucket List!

If you have recently gone through a divorce, you may feel at a loss as what to do next in your life. Should you tackle all of those things you never did for whatever reason? Making a list of these things makes it easier to accomplish, and this article helps you with suggestions. Read more below...

-Have drinks with my divorced/separated friends. Mandatory, as much as possible. -Take a trip alone. Not a single-mom vacation with the kids -- ALONE, preferably overseas, in a foreign country, or at a beach. -Buy flowers for myself. Because they make me happy and I know exactly the kind I want.

— Read More At Huffington Post