Northern Kentucky Family Law Blog

In the United States, about 40 to 50% of married couples divorce. This means that many Kentucky parents are co-parenting. While many co-parents deal with difficulties surrounding decisions that need to be made while co-parenting, financial stress can be minimized when the following steps are taken.

The divorce decree usually outlines the responsibilities that each parent has regarding expenses related to raising the children. It will guide the parents since it breaks down specific financial responsibilities like spousal support, health care, extracurricular activities and education. The details should be fine-tuned in court in order to save the divorced couple from many problems.

There's nothing wrong with staying connected socially online. However, there is compelling research suggesting a correlation between divorce rates and the use of certain popular social networks. While social media alone isn't likely to be the sole reason for the end of a marriage, there are some commonly recommended guidelines individuals in Kentucky are encouraged to keep in mind before, during and after a divorce.

For instance, if divorce seems likely, spouses are advised not to post disparaging comments about one another on social media accounts. Such material could be used during divorce proceedings. It may also be helpful for a soon-to-be ex-spouse to use privacy settings and delete past posts that may be questionable. Reviewing friends lists could also minimize issues with mutual acquaintances who may take the other spouse's side by acting as a "spy" for online social activity.

Kentucky parents who get divorced may find it easier on themselves and their children when they work together to raise their kids. The primary benefit for a child is knowing that he or she can count on both parents being in their lives no matter what happens. Parents benefit because they don't have to pay the full financial and emotional cost that comes with helping their kids transition into adults.

This means that each parent has time to live their own lives and the resources to chase their dreams as well. Generally speaking, parents who are able to work together to raise their children develop a strong bond. This bond may have benefits beyond just raising a child in an amicable manner. For example, if one parent encounters an emergency situation, the other may be willing to help by providing money or a place to stay for a day or two.

When people in Kentucky get a divorce, debts that they brought into the marriage, such as student loan debt, are usually considered individual property, and the person will be solely responsible for them after divorce. However, if a person takes out student loans during the marriage, both spouses may be responsible for part of them.

In an equitable distribution state like Kentucky, a judge will consider a number of elements when deciding how much each person should pay on student loan debts. If the spouse with the debt earns significantly more than the other spouse, the lower-income spouse may owe less. A spouse who has made substantial efforts to support the other spouse while in school, including setting aside a career to do so, may also be expected to pay less or even none. On the other hand, if the student loans were used toward rent and other shared expenses instead of primarily for tuition, books and other education costs, a spouse could be held partly responsible.