Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and Oklahoma Fathers' Rights & Divorce Law Blog
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Important Steps for All Divorcing Fathers to Take When Fighting for Child Custody
It is understandable that many divorcing fathers in the United States feel hopeless and distraught as they begin divorce proceedings. For many generations, the ongoing social stigmas facing men in the family court system have gone unchallenged. Now, many fathers across the country are fighting for their rights and challenging long-standing beliefs about the gender roles of women as more adept caregivers than men. It’s natural for men to feel disadvantaged in family court proceedings because family courts have traditionally ruled against fathers, even in light of evidence establishing them as the more suitable parents in a divorce case. Thankfully,
Building Your Case for Custody as a Father
It’s perfectly natural for fathers to feel incredibly daunted with the prospect of fighting for child custody. Fathers in the United States have historically been overlooked and undervalued in family court hearings, ultimately due to long-standing gender roles of mothers and caregivers and fathers as breadwinners. Today, we know that fathers are just as capable as mothers when it comes to raising children, and a good father who is fully capable of caring for his children has every right to fight for custody in divorce. Fathers still face an uphill battle when it comes to contesting child custody, as long-standing
How Does Joint Custody Work With a Newborn?
Child custody is an often-misunderstood area of family law. There are many pervasive myths and misconceptions that cause fathers to believe that the younger their child is, the less time they will likely get to spend with them after divorce. If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse have a newborn child together, it’s only natural to assume that the mother’s biological abilities to nurture the child would inherently predispose her to receive greater custody of the child in a divorce. While in the past, most courts would uphold mothers as primary caregivers and men have historically received fewer custody rights than
Common Misconceptions About Fathers’ Rights in Family Law
It’s widely believed that fathers are inherently disadvantaged when it comes to family court matters, particularly child support and child custody. While the family court system in the US has historically skewed in favor of mothers obtaining majority custody, this is not always the case, nor is it always in the best interests of the children involved in a divorce. Fathers who are divorcing and concerned about their future parenting rights should have a firm understanding of their rights in the family court system. An experienced family law attorney can help a father facing divorce build a strong case for
The Importance of a Paternity Test in Your Divorce Case
It is common for any father to feel uncertain about their biological links to their children, especially very young children in an unstable marriage that’s headed for divorce. If you are the alleged father of a child and you believe your marriage is headed for divorce, you should thoroughly investigate any doubts you may hold about the child’s alleged paternity. A paternity test could potentially spare you significant financial burden in the future and also ultimately benefit the child by providing a clear link to their actual biological father. In most states, the court establishes paternity in divorce cases when
Commonly Overlooked Statistics About Fathers’ Rights in the US
Numerous studies over the years have indicated that there is a strong bias against fathers in the US family court system. While many signs indicate that times are changing and courts are starting to appreciate the role men play in their children’s lives, the reality is that many men entering the family court system for child custody feel like they’re starting the process on the back foot from the beginning. Judges have displayed gender bias against men for decades, and it is essential for fathers to not only understand this trend but also the fact that they can fight for
Can a judge take away custody if a parent becomes sick?
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, June 12, 2020. Family law judges have one responsibility when it comes to making decisions in child custody cases in St. Louis. Their job is to make determinations as to what’s in the best interest of the minor. A parent’s medical condition can affect whether or not they end up with custody of their kids. A judge won’t likely deprive a parent of custody simply because they’ve received a cancer diagnosis. They will probably want to know how well a parent can care for their child’s health, welfare and safety if they
Why dads may feel that winning custody is impossible
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in father’s rights on Thursday, May 28, 2020. If you ask most individuals, they assume that women have the upper hand when seeking custody of their kids. Many think that moms tend to win primary custody of their children and that dads just get awarded visitation or at most joint custody. While this may happen in some cases, dads are increasingly becoming the primary custodial parents of their kids. Fathers are entitled to the same parental rights, including petitioning for full or shared custody, just like moms. Missouri courts generally prefer parents to have shared custody of
Does a parent’s living accommodations affect child custody?
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Friday, May 15, 2020. St. Louis family court judges prefer for parents to work out how to share custody of their kids among themselves. They take it upon themselves to decide such matters on their own if the parents can’t reach an agreement though. Missouri family law judges are expected to consider what’s in the best interest of the child when making such decisions. The type of living accommodations a parent has can greatly impact what type of custody decree that a judge enters. The age and gender of a child affect the type
There are many ways to split up hard-to-value assets in a divorce
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Friday, May 1, 2020. Going through a divorce can be very difficult. It can be even harder to do if you and your ex own hard-to-value assets. Divorcing spouses and their attorneys often have to ask a professional appraiser to step in and determine the value of their assets when they can’t agree on what they’re worth. It’s not always necessary for a divorcing couple to call in a professional appraiser to assign values to their assets. Family law attorneys or divorce mediators can broker agreements between spouses about what certain marital assets are
Your right to visitation and custody as an unmarried father
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in father’s rights on Sunday, April 12, 2020. Not all relationships work out, but sometimes they result in a child being born. Just because you’re not in the other parent’s life, that doesn’t mean you have to miss those important milestones as your child grows up. Studies show that children tend to be better adjusted when they have both parents in their lives. This is why you should make it a point to establish your paternity of your child. Virtually every biological parent has a legal right to custody and/or visitation with their child. A mom or
What are the requirements to file for divorce in Missouri?
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, April 3, 2020. Most every couple starts their relationship with the goal of it lasting forever, however, sometimes things don’t work out that way. It’s when St. Louis spouses reach a point at which their marriage cannot be saved that Missouri law allows a married couple to pursue a divorce. Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Couples in most every state must be legally separated for a designated period before they can move forward in filing for divorce. At least one spouse must have been a resident of Missouri for at least 90
What parents should expect during a custody hearing
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Friday, March 6, 2020. Missouri parents who are summoned to a child custody hearing will be asked a variety of questions by a judge. The court’s goal is to determine what type of parenting arrangement will be in the child’s best interests. A judge may ask about a parent’s ability to provide financial care. Detailed financial information could be used to determine how much a noncustodial mother or father should pay in child support. Generally speaking, the law prefers that exes share custody of their kids. Therefore, those who are seeking sole
Choosing the best parenting plan for children
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Thursday, February 20, 2020. With divorcing parents realizing that equal parenting time is usually the best option for children, many families instinctively default to an every-other-week parenting plan. While this does ensure that parents have equal access to the children and that fathers’ rights are safeguarded, parents in Missouri may find that it isn’t the best option for their family. Parenting plans that simply alternate weeks often fail both parents and children. For parents, it may not be a good fit for their work schedule or for arranging childcare when needed. A week
Certain situations call for asset protection with a prenup
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, February 7, 2020. For Missouri couples who are planning to marry, one of the most common causes for dispute is a request for a prenuptial agreement. Often, a person will take this as a sign of mistrust or expectation that the marriage will end in divorce. However, a prenuptial agreement is a protective device in case a marriage does not work out. There are certain times when a prenuptial agreement is more important than others. If it is a second marriage and children are involved, it is wise to consider having one. There are
How to help children post-divorce
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. After Missouri parents go through a divorce, it is common for them to try to be amazing parents. They want to do whatever they can to prevent their child from dealing with mental health problems, getting bad grades, going to jail or dealing with issues that the media often promotes regarding children of divorced parents. However, it seems that shooting for “good enough” is a better option. Research has revealed that if parents can work together to show respect for one another and co-parent with the best interests of
What the divorce process typically involves
On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. While most Missouri couples begin their marriage hoping that it will last forever, the truth is that many marriages end in divorce. If a couple is not able to come to an agreement on their own or with the help of their lawyers on things like child support and how finances will be divided at the end of their marriage, they may have to go to court. Divorce cases are handled in civil court. One judge typically presides over the case and delivers the final judgment. It is also
