According to the CDC/NCHS National Vital Statistics System, there were 746,971 divorces in 45 of the 50 states in 2019. For many of these couples, a divorce will ultimately improve their lives. However, it is almost always a highly emotional process. Parents who are divorcing face particular challenges as they will also have to agree to all the details of a child custody parenting plan.
Out of every 1,000 individuals, 6.5% get divorced. Divorce is a trying time. There are many factors to work through. Not only is a chapter of your life ending, but the legal process of divorce itself can be lengthy. You likely have assets to split, and sometimes there are children and custody matters involved. When it comes to your family home, the decision of who gets to stay and who should move can be difficult.
Divorce remains one of the most stressful life events any person can go through. Making decisions when experiencing such emotional turmoil can be extremely difficult. So many individuals end up making costly mistakes when attempting to navigate the process of divorce without adequate legal representation and guidance.
Normal parents love their children more than life itself. Typical parents make sacrifices so their children can have a better life than they themselves have or had. Unfortunately, it’s easy to lose perspective about what’s best for children in a divorce. Emotions and tensions run high and are very challenging to control.
Infidelity is one of several factors that can lead to divorce. According to a recent study by the American Psychological Association, marital infidelity is cited to be responsible for about 20-40% of divorce cases in the United States.
Estate planning documents allow you to express your wishes regarding the handling of your estate. You can name your beneficiaries and specify what you want to leave each of them when you are gone. Those documents can also provide a way to formally express what you want to happen to your remains which may be the most personal wish you make.
When a person dies in California, the probate court will determine if there’s a will expressing the decedent’s wishes on their estate is to be distributed to the named beneficiaries. If there is a will, it will generally name an executor (or personal representative) to oversee the probate process.
As we grow older, we start thinking about the legacy we will leave behind. Estate planning is not only the first step in establishing that legacy — it’s a crucial one.
How detailed do your plans need to be for the future? That can depend on a lot of factors, but preparation for the future and the unforeseen — commonly called “estate planning” — must be done not only for the sake of your loved ones but for yourself as well.