You can speed up your Rhode Island Divorce by getting together information that you’ll need to get your divorce package completed for filing.

What my clients find the most troublesome is the Certified copy of the Marriage Certificate which they normally must obtain for a cost from Bureau of Vital Statistics for the State in which they were married in or from the local Town Clerk’s Office vital records department in the Town or City they were married in.

If you want to speed up your Rhode Island Divorce you may want to obtain this document in advance if it’s at a location you can’t just hop in your car and drive to get. It may take as much as two (2) to four (4) weeks for some states to process your request for the certified copy of your marriage license and they may wait until your check clears as well.

Costs vary for this request. The most recent client experience I had involved a written request by check and took about two weeks but the client paid a fee to expedite the request and it cost about $43.00. In my humble opinion, that’s a bit pricey for a single sheet of paper reprinted and mailed to you.

Sadly, about one-third of it wasn’t even legible.

One thing to remember when obtaining a certified copy of your marriage certificate for your Rhode Island Divorce. The Marriage Certificate or Certificate of Marriage that you receive from a religious institution is not sufficient to satisfy the requirements of Rhode Island Law when filing your Rhode Island Divorce complaint. It MUST be the Marriage Certificate that ends up being filed with the State in which you were married. This normally contains vital information about your family history such as your parents names, your maiden name, your date of birth, etc…..

You will also want to read my article regarding the checklist for a Rhode Island Divorce. Having things in order and things ready to go is the best way to get things moving quickly and keep them moving.

Let’s face it, a court is just like any other governmental agency, it runs on paperwork. If you have the right paper and you file it at the right time then you’ve mastered half the battle. Yet if you miss a crucial document that is required by the court and you can be sitting their puzzled trying to figure out what is going on.

Unfortunately there is more to a divorce than forms. Divorce relates to laws that involve taxation, equitable distribution, capital gains, premarital property, tax deductions, placement of children, alimony, child support and much more. . . and without knowing the law that goes with the forms . . . . as well as the timing of those forms . . . then you could be spinning your wheels.

Yet in the end, whether you have a lawyer or not it’s important to have your information, especially your certified copy of your Marriage Certificate, and your other vital information ready for any form that’s needed.

By: Christopher Pearsall

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Every parent that has a child or children and splits up from their husband, wife or partner has the same concern and question. These are child custody questions. They want to know and should research what will go on in the battle for child custody. You should try and work out between yourselves a child custody agreement you both can live with. Otherwise the custody battle can get ugly.

The judge when hearing a case about the custody of a child wants to know first and foremost, which parent is really putting the child’s best interests first and doing their best to keep their kids out of the custody fight. The she said this and he said that approach is a sure way to loose favor with the courts as judges hate that . By developing a plan and having a history of putting the child or children first will really go a long way to winning favor in the courts.

Another child custody question is visiting rights for the parent that does not have custody. These rights are determined by the courts. The schedules for visitation can vary a great deal depending on the circumstances. A typical schedule could be anything depending on the work hours of the parents. It could be every other weekend, 4 weeks in the summer, every weekend etc. Having both parents in the lives of the children is always in the best interest of those children. Unless of course there was some kind of abuse going on.

In the case of parent who commits violence visitation may be allowed, but only if the judge believes that certain measures can be taken to make sure the child is going to be safe. This may consist of visits that are supervised.

When you have child custody questions it is always a good idea to consult a lawyer. The lawyer has taken an oath to take you, his/her clients interests , and promote them. This is even if it effects the interests of others. Before seeking the services of a lawyer, there is something you can do. Do research on your own. This will give Ideas and have you better prepared for the long road ahead. I am all for joint custody unless it puts the child in danger from one of the parents. One parent being absent from a child’s life sets up this situation. The parent with custody is left to do all the work raising the child and disciplining them. The parent who does not see their child or children that much is usually seen as the “fun one.”

By: William Rigby

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Divorce can be tough, but it signifies a new start in your life. You can experience a number of changes, but the divorce can have a huge impact on your children. If you are worried about child custody laws and possible agreements that your children will be introduced to, there is a way to get child custody advice to help you through this new transition.

The first strong piece of advice is to educate yourself. No matter how amicable the divorce was or how friendly your current situation with your ex may be, it always behooves you to know everything there is to know about child custody arrangements in your state. You might never need to use this information, but understanding your rights as a parent and the rights of your children is a beneficial thing.

You will need a lawyer as well. Especially if you have a mad ex or one who might be vindictive, a lawyer is needed. If you do not get a lawyer and your ex does, you can be intimidated and not realize your rights in the child custody agreement. You might end up paying more than you should, seeing your children for less hours or having to deal with more difficult times than you would have if you had representation. Divorce is expensive, so the idea of hiring a lawyer might seem outrageous, but good representation now could save you heartaches and dollars in the future.

Finally, the most important piece of child custody advice is to remember to take care of yourself. Divorce and child custody is extremely stressful and you need to be as healthy, physically and mentally, right now as you can be. There are important issues and decisions to be made and you need to have a clear head to make them. You also need to be there for your children and you won’t be able to do that if your energy is spent. If you need help, seek out a counselor, coach or friend to help you get through this trying time.

Spend time educating yourself and finding good, solid child custody advice to help get you through. Find a lawyer who will fight for you and your children’s rights, should it come to that, and understands the dynamics of your case. Take care of yourself and your children so you can make the best decisions now for your family. Your child custody battle won’t go on forever but the repercussions of what you decide now will last a long time.

By: Joan Baker

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When searching for child custody information, it’s important to research all the child custody laws in your state and become familiar with the terminology used. Though all the child custody laws may not affect your case now, you never know what’s going to happen before your case is settled. That’s why it’s important to gather as much child custody information as you can find because, in this all important battle, you don’t want to have any surprises later on.

Since child custody issues are played out in the legal field, the most important place a parent needs to go for the complete range of child custody information is a lawyer. A lawyer will help you to analyze your unique situation and find a solution that fits you and your children best. They will know the intricacies of the law and can assist you through any unusual situation you might be facing.

Before you talk with a lawyer, make sure that they are familiar with child custody cases and will truly fight for you and your children. After all, you don’t want to take the child custody information you receive and realize later that the lawyer’s advice was outdated or that he hadn’t told you about certain laws or their implications on your case. This is why the first thing you should research when looking for child custody information is how to find the right attorney.

The right attorney can make a world of difference in your child custody case. Likewise, the wrong attorney can take a strong case and misrepresent it or fail to get it in front of the judge.

So how do you go about finding accurate and comprehensive child custody information? Look online to see if you can find ebooks, resources and support groups that can advise you during this tumultuous time. Find forums where you can ask experienced parents and informative counselors or lawyers all the questions you need. The library is always a great place to find free information as well, but you will need to make sure that you are looking at the most recent edition of the law before you make any decisions.

Without comprehensive child custody information, you’ll find yourself constantly wondering if you did the right thing. Take the time to do the research now, and you’ll not only be better prepared, but you’ll have better peace of mind with your decisions.

By: Joan Baker

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In the United States, there are statistics that indicate that half of all marriages will end up in a divorce or legal separation. Often people do not differentiate between divorce and legal separation. Both divorce and legal separation refer to the situation when a couple decides not to live together anymore. But being separated is much different than being divorced.

What does legal separation mean? Legal separation generally refers to a court order which acknowledges that a couple is no longer living together and that all the issues regarding the marriage have been resolved. A legal separation generally means that both parties reached an agreement concerning child custody, child visitation, child support, spousal support or alimony, distribution of property, attorney fees, and personal conduct.
However, in a legal separation both parties remain married to each other. Indeed spouses who are just legally separated are not allowed to marry another person.

Divorce, also known as a decree of dissolution of marriage, is also a court order but it is for the purpose to dissolve or terminate a marriage. Both parties are allowed to marry another person following a divorce since they have returned to an unmarried status. An annulment differs from a divorce on the ground that this process is meant at simply canceling a marriage.

What are the benefits of a legal separation? Legal separation often takes place when both parties prefer to stay married for religious reasons. That’s why legal separation is often coined catholic legal separation since it preserves the religious marriage. Legal separation is not only pursued for religious reasons, but also for tax reasons. Unlike a divorce, the non-custodial parent may be able to deduct from his/her income taxes spousal support payments. Some also prefer not to wait for the state statutory waiting period for termination of marital status. That’s one of the reasons why a legal separation is often pursued to set the parameters for dealing with one another while living separate and apart while keeping the married status, and leaving an opportunity for a reunion or resumption of marriage. However being legally separated is not a requirement before filing a divorce. In other words, a legal separation is not a prerequisite of the dissolution of a marriage or divorce.

If you are considering a legal separation, divorce, or dissolution of marriage you would be wise to consult an attorney who can inform you legally about your particular divorce or legal separation matter.

© 2006 Child Custody Coach

By: Steven Carlson

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In years past it was customary for a mother to automatically get physical custody of children in a divorce. With most women now in the workforce that is changing these days and now more father’s are seeing the courts decide in their favor when it is in the best interest of the child. While it is still accepted in most places that children would normally be placed in physical custody of their mothers more father’s are making a strong case for physical custody.

Divorce scenarios are different today than they were 20 to 30 years ago. No longer do we see stay at home mom’s raising children while father’s work outside the home and provide for the family. This is the single biggest factor in father’s winning custody. A female can no longer be assured of getting physical custody of her children if she and her ex husband both have jobs outside the home. The courts are now looking more equally at both parents being able to care for their children and more father’s are getting custody now than at any other time.

Father’s should still assume it will be an uphill battle to gain custody but it is not impossible. Some questions you will have to ask yourself will be who has a history of taking care of the children while the marriage was intact? If you as a father have not had any primary care for your child how could you expect to be granted custody? If you are attempting to gain custody so you can reduce or avoid paying child support you are not doing what is in the best interest of your children. Think about your motivation before you decide to make your case. Many states today consider any custody litigation as gender neutral. The playing field has been leveled considerably.

If you can show you are responsible, caring, and have the best interest of the children through your behavior in the past and documentation when you go to court you will have a much greater chance at winning custody of your children. Don’t forget to have an attorney who has won custody for another father on your side.

Primary physical custody is your goal. If that is not possible you should at least get joint legal custody with the primary caregiver being the mother. Some type of shared custody, if it is best for the child, can be a good alternative. This will give you plenty of time with your children.

You should never enter a custody dispute without proper documentation and preparation. Ignoring this alone has destroyed the chances of many capable, loving fathers winning custody of their children. Follow this simple advise and you will be a leg up. Be polite and be prepared.

By: Dave Huffman

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