In some cases, you and your spouse can get a divorce without going to court through a process called divorce mediation. This process involves a neutral third party (mediator) who is often a divorce lawyer or a child custody expert. The divorce lawyer helps you and your partner settle any disputes such as asset division…

Divorce and child custody cases can, unfortunately, become messy. If at any point in time you feel unsafe during the legal proceedings, you may want to speak to your lawyer about obtaining a protective or restraining order. You may be uncertain of what constitutes this kind of legal action. An order such as this should…

Sometimes it seems that heading to court to settle a dispute is the only possible action to take. However, for many disputes, third-party neutral mediation can be a viable alternative to consider. This is true for each of the following situations… Where a will, trust, or power of attorney is the source of dispute A…

One of the most misunderstood aspects of estate planning is the difference between wills and trusts. Although speaking to an estate planning attorney is the best way to comprehend the differences, there are a few simple facts that can help you clarify the issue. The key differences between wills and trusts Whereas a will goes…

Early in a new year is the time when many people consider their life and how they are living it. Some even commit to making major changes to their circumstances or lifestyle. Such decisions can cover important elements of their current lifestyle, or how they wish it to be in the times ahead. Key considerations…

Should an individual become incapacitated, a financial power of attorney aims to designate an individual to pay that person’s bills and manage their financial affairs. This is also referred to as general power of attorney, or power of attorney for property. The document itself designates the person who is acting in that role. Our team…

No one wants to think too much about their passing. However, it’s best to be prepared so that our loved ones will know explicitly what your wishes are. Consider the following components for your estate plan: Healthcare Proxy: This gives a specific person the power to make health decisions for you if you can’t. Durable…

In most divorce settlement cases, the matter of alimony is crucial, especially for the financially dependent spouse who could be a stay-at-home dad or mum. The payment serves as compensation for their direct or indirect role in aiding their former spouse to acquire wealth. There are mainly three ways of paying alimony. The first one…

This is a question we are often asked by clients involved in many different legal situations. These have included divorce, child custody, maintenance, contested wills – and a range of business matters. The simple answer is that mediation can help, in many cases, to avoid protracted and costly litigation. Our family and estate attorney services,…