How, When, and Why to Establish Paternity for the Child of Unmarried Parents

While marriage gives certain rights and benefits to a couple and their children—favorable tax filing status, hospital visitation rights, and more—this does not mean that the children of unmarried parents are not without legal protection and benefits. Regardless of parents’ marital status, children are entitled to both parents’ financial support. Establishing the paternity of a…

When an Older Couple Divorces

Rise of the Gray Divorce While short-lived marriages are the stuff of tabloid articles and morbid curiosity, the public tends to think of twenty-year or thirty-year marriages as unshakeable. With advances in medicine and an overall increase in lifespans from our parents’ and grandparents’ generations, there has come about a new social phenomenon: the “gray”…

Who is responsible for paying debt after a divorce?

When couples decide to divorce, they understand the assets accumulated throughout the marriage will need to be divided. Generally, both parties seek homeownership and other real estate holdings, high-value assets, and child custody during this process. However, when it comes to debt, couples are usually slow to take responsibility. No matter who is responsible for…