Saint Paul Family Law Blog

If you took action to file for divorce, it may have taken your spouse by surprise. Being rejected or humiliated can cause once loving people to act in unpredictable and surprising ways. You may feel that you no longer recognize the person to whom you were married, and you may even be scared of how they will react to certain situations. If this is the case, you should make sure that your first priority is protecting yourself and your family.

If your ex is exhibiting concerning or intimidating behavior such as stalking you, threatening you or turning up to your residence unexpectedly, you should consider taking out a restraining order. This will grant you additional protection and peace of mind. If you want to learn more about how to deal with jealous behavior, you should start by understanding certain characteristics that define it.

When family dynamics change, it often causes disruption and stress in children's lives. However, not all changes are unwelcome, and not all stress is inherently bad. For instance, if a person lands his or her dream job but has to relocate, it may cause short-term stress and disruption, but in the long run, it is a good thing. Divorce changes children's lives, and it can take some time for them to cope; nevertheless, most Minnesota children and others across the country are resilient and adaptable.

Parents' input, encouragement and support are key factors to helping kids navigate divorce and move on in life. It is crucial for a parent to realize that each child may react differently when told his or her parents are planning to sever their marital ties. Most kids are able to bounce back if their parents help them maintain a sense of normalcy, structure and routine in their daily lives.

No Minnesota parent is guaranteed that he or she will never encounter challenges regarding child-related issues in life. In fact, most parents will, at some point. A particularly stressful time can be summer, especially following a recent divorce. That is why it pays to implement a child custody agreement that is thoroughly written, with terms that are clearly defined.

Some parents would rather just decide where their kids are going to live and how much each parent will contribute toward financial needs. They want to sign the most basic custody plan available, say their good-byes and move on in life after divorce. However, not taking time to discuss summer months, especially if both parents work outside the home, can lead to complicated legal issues that are difficult to resolve.

Celebrities often seem larger than life; however, outside of their jobs in film or on stage, they are people like everyone else, and they have private lives that often include marriage and parenting. Also, just like non-celebrity parents, famous moms and dads often face child support and other custody problems. Minnesota fans of television singing competitions may remember the 2004 season of American Idol that began Jennifer Hudson's rise to fame. The actress and singer is currently discussing her own celebrity status and income in court because of a heated disagreement she is having with the father of her child.

Hudson was never married to her child's father. She has been outspoken about laws that allow him to use a portion of the child support payments she sends to pay for housing. She says he is perfectly capable of earning enough income to pay for his own home.