Law Offices of Heidi Romeo & Associates

A good divorce settlement should do two things - untangle yourself from the arrangements that are suffocating you, and set you up with a new normal that gets you what you deserve. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

In most states, alimony stops when the receiving spouse remarries, but child support stops when the child reaches adulthood. Just because one obligation is coming to an end doesn't mean the other one is as well! #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

It's not easy to think about all the what-ifs when you're busy planning a wedding. That's why mom or dad should think about gently suggesting to the young couple to consider a prenup or at least have a frank discussion about plans and goals for the long-term. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

If your ex's lavish lifestyle has you wondering whether you are entitled to a greater share of child and spousal support, don't hesitate to ask your lawyer whether your settlement needs to be reevaluated. However, be warned - excessive spending is not necessarily indicative of higher income. It could just be a sign of expensive taste. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Often overlooked in a divorce settlement is the difference between liquid and non-liquid assets. Simply put, if one side gets the house but the other side gets the bank accounts and investment funds, the side that gets the house will keep the roof over their head in the short-term but will be the one who is stuck having to sell it when the time comes to pack up and move. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

You may have a right to refuse a paternity test, but there may be consequences that go with it. If you are contesting a paternity claim against you, always ask about the costs and benefits of any choice you make. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Divorce at any age is hard but is especially tough when the relationship has lasted for many years and you have trouble remembering how life was before. We're here to help untangle your shared world and get you back on your feet for the next chapter. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

In certain states, couples are not permitted to receive a divorce before taking a mandatory "period of separation". If you are sure the relationship is over, this requirement is little more than a nuisance. But when you consider the costs of going through with splitting up for good, maybe a little time to cool off and try again is just what the relationship needs to get back on track. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

If you file a claim against your co-parent for child support, even if they have not been involved in your child's life for a while, be prepared for the possibility that they will show up and ask for visitation or even shared custody in exchange for their involvement. It's a two-way street, so if you're not ready to introduce your little one to a new person who is, in fact, their other parent, have a frank conversation with your lawyer about your priorities. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Divorce is not easy, especially when young children are involved. Do what you can to give the kids a sense of stability while they are going through this transition. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

If you can, always try and wait for the other side to make the first offer. The longer you can hold out, the more information you can collect about the other side's goals and interests. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

If you have lingering doubts after popping the question (or saying yes), there's no rush to tie the knot. Ending an engagement is much easier than ending a marriage; Don't get married before you're on the same page about the big life choices. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

You are not alone. The Courts all are open to issue Restraining Orders in domestic violence situations. Please call us at 909-985-3996 if you are in a domestic violence situation. We are open and available for teleconference. Know your options and your rights. Stay safe and strong. We care about you. Please call. We can discuss your options. https://www.nbcnews.com//police-see-rise-domestic-violence

When entering into a second marriage or forming a blended family, the best thing to do is to discuss ahead of time how you will respond if things don't work out the way you'd planned. Better to have one uncomfortable conversation ahead of time than to discover later that you disagree on a key issue. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

With on-again-off-again pandemic measures, it's very normal to feel like your custody sharing arrangement isn't working properly. Make sure your lawyers are having a periodic check-in with your co-parents' lawyers to keep everything running smoothly. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Family heirlooms and other items of primarily sentimental value should be marked as non-marital assets as early as possible in a divorce proceeding in order to avoid unnecessary friction. Be proactive - don't wait for the other side to start making demands. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Many states consider infidelity to be a factor when calculating the amount of alimony to an unfaithful spouse. That said, a person's qualities as a partner won't be taken into account in determining custody - for that, the courts will look most at what is best for the kids. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

The textbook-standard custody agreement calls for one parent to have physical custody, both parents to have legal custody, and the non-custodial parent to have visitation rights. Plenty of separated couples have specific ideas about how to continue to raise the kids together, but a boilerplate agreement is as good a starting point as any for commencing negotiations. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Negotiation towards a fair settlement is usually more cost-effective, but if at the end of the day you feel your alimony or custody order left you holding the short end of the stick, it might be worth filing an appeal. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Building a blended family with kids from previous marriages comes with all sorts of lifestyle decisions that need to be made. However you decide to do things on a day-to-day basis, it's probably a good idea to keep at least some of your finances separate so that your children know that their inheritance is distinct from their stepsiblings'. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Divorce proceedings can (but don't have to) be conducted directly alongside custody proceedings. In some cases, it may be better to finalize the divorce and then discuss how to continue raising the children. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Happy Presidents' Day! #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Some states allow you to sue for child support and alimony up to a certain amount retroactively. If your ex or co-parent hasn't been pulling their weight when it comes to raising the kids, you can take them to court to force them to pay up. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

As a rule, the law allows you to teach your child religion and values that are different from your ex, even if you are the one who changed since the divorce. Keep in mind, however, that in some extreme cases the courts have ruled that when one parent makes a significant life change, the children have a right to remain in the community or social system in which they were raised. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Family counselors, relationship gurus, and mediators are a good source of advice when you have a dispute that has not (yet) made it to court. However, once a lawsuit is officially filed, only a lawyer can guide you through the next steps. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

The toughest piece of marital property that needs to be split in a divorce is the family home. Broadly speaking, this can be achieved by either selling the house and dividing the proceeds, sharing title to the home, or having one partner keep the home outright and refinancing the mortgage to remove the other partner from the title. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Custody and alimony agreements tend to take into account reasonable changes in your personal situation. Retirement, for example, is typically considered a foreseeable event and won't normally be grounds for amending the agreement. However, if extraordinary new information comes to light, it's a good idea to discuss with your lawyer to see if you should petition the court to amend the agreement. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

While some responsibilities of legal guardians are objective, others are a matter of perspective. That's why the law allows a certain amount of wiggle room when it comes to parents' responsibilities towards their children. For example, a well-to-do non-custodial parent could be expected to fit the bill for private school education if that is the standard in the community where the family is living. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Being in an abusive relationship can make you feel stuck; You are not the only one who feels this way. To get yourself into a better situation, one small step that you can take right now is to pick up the phone and call someone you trust and let them know how you feel. Don't go through this alone. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Revealing your final offer to your ex too early in a negotiation can weaken your hand. However, sometimes putting a take-it-or-leave-it offer on the table can help wrap things up. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

Spousal and child support is typically for one's ex and child/children. However, in some cases, a divorced step-parent can also be required to maintain their ex's child from a previous relationship. The more of a relationship the stepparent had with the child during the marriage, and the more responsibilities they had taken on, the more likely it is that the courts will enforce child support even when the marriage ends. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo

If you feel your custody or alimony arrangement isn't working, we're happy to help you discuss any necessary changes. That being said, we also might have a thing or two to say about what steps you can take to make the current arrangement work for you. Sometimes, what you need isn't a new agreement - just a fresh perspective. #LawOfficesofHeidiRomeo