Among the Ask a Divorce Lawyer questions answered today by Cordell & Cordell attorneys:

• My ex-wife has had social services called on her for neglect. What steps do I need to take to get custody of my kids?
• Can my wife keep marital property and assets from while we're going through a divorce?
• How do I go about a forced sale of marital property?
• Even in no-fault states will the court take into effect marital misconduct when dividing the assets?
• What would be the first step in attempting to change modifiable maintenance?
• What are some of the ways to approach a sole custody arrangement?

Among the Ask a Divorce Lawyer questions answered today by Cordell & Cordell attorneys:

• If she gets an equity loan on her gifted property, will that debt also be my debt in divorce?
• Do I and my ex wife have to file bankruptcy together or apart?
• In order to keep the house, can we settle on a child support payment amount that is less than the Friend of Court would determine?
• Is infidelity ever taken into account when awarding parenting time or child support?
• Is it considered kidnapping if the father does not consent to his children moving?
• Can grandparents seek custody?
• Can I ask to be my niece's legal guardian even if I'm stationed overseas?
• Where should I file the modification if I don't live where the divorce took place?

Question:

I have phone records proving my wife has been having an affair for some time. First, can phone records be brought into a divorce case? And does an affair by the other party make any difference in a divorce in terms of custody or potential alimony payments?

By Jennifer M. Paine

Attorney, Cordell & Cordell, P.C., Detroit office

Note: This is Part 2 of a two-part series on the secret cost of saying "I'm sorry." Click here to read Part 1.

Another public personality, shame-faced and sullen, said “I’m sorry” to an angrily silent room, his endorsers and busy cameras this past week. Whether you love him or hate him, believed him or could care less, Tiger Woods broadcast his apology worldwide to his wife, Elin Nordegren, and to you.

For you, those words you think are a deserved apology could be a dangerous admission.

Unfortunately, when spouses face mounting proof and/or wild accusations of an affair, like Tiger Woods, the temptation to speak up is great. What should you say if you want to say, “I’m sorry”? Forget the “I’m sorry for sleeping with other women and neglecting you and the children” apology a la Tiger Woods. Try these “friendly” admissions instead.

By Jennifer M. Paine

Attorney, Cordell & Cordell, P.C., Detroit office

Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part series on the secret cost of saying "I'm sorry." Click here to read Part 2.

Another public personality, shame-faced and sullen, said “I’m sorry” to an angrily silent room, his endorsers and busy cameras this past week. Whether you love him or hate him, believed him or could care less, Tiger Woods broadcast his apology worldwide to his wife, Elin Nordegren, and to you.

According to personality and crisis communication experts like W. Timothy Coombs, Ph.D., who recently spoke to Time Magazine about “the apology,” a public apology like his is a good thing because it conveys regret, ownership for the past and a commitment to change future behavior to wife, family, friends and, for you famous wrong-doers, fans. These are “all the key elements of an effective apology,” says Coombs.

Maybe for Tiger Woods.

For you, those words you think are a deserved apology could be a dangerous admission.