Divorce Advice for Men | Fathers Rights Divorce | Child Custody

By Matt Allen

Editor, DadsDivorce.com

Divorced dads will sometimes consider representing themselves pro se to keep costs down at a time when resources may already be stretched thin.

Inevitably, they have two divorce questions to ask:

• Should I actually try representing myself?
• We’re agreeing on everything so do I even need an attorney?

Question:

I'm looking for legal separation advice. While my wife and I were separated but still married, I paid off two loans using money I cashed in from my 401k. I was told I would be the one solely responsible for the taxes on the 401k withdrawl.

At what point in a separation leading to a divorce are assets and debt still considered marital property? Should we both be responsible for the tax money owed?

By Michelle Hughes

Divorce Lawyer, Cordell & Cordell

The society that we live in is inundated with sex, drugs and alcohol on television, in music and in the movies.

With all of these outside influences, parents find that it is important, more than ever, to impart morals and values on their child.

Morality clauses can be a useful tool to aid parents in upholding their morals and values even while the child is spending time with the other parent. (Read my previous article, "Morality Clauses: Prohibiting Cohabitation and Overnight Guests.")

These clauses have been used to prohibit the use of alcoholic beverages and/or illegal drugs during periods of custody with the child.

Generally, I do not recommend that my clients agree to these types of clauses. 

By Andrea Johnson

Attorney, Cordell & Cordell

In terms of legal strategy in a divorce case, courtrooms are a place where a person should be conservative and formal regardless of how laid back the attorneys or the judge may seem.

When you are there as one of the parties in the case, you need to present yourself as respectful and of good moral character.

With that said, how you look will be the first impression. 

Athena Roussos is the attorney for George Petroutsas, a dad who is trying to get his son, Andoni, returned to him from the child’s mother who is holding him in Greece. A judge awarded full custody to Petroutsas but the judge allowed the mother to take the child with her to Greece for a final visit.

Well, now the mother is staying in Greece with the child and an international custody dispute is underway. In a previous interview, Petroutsas discussed his emotions and efforts trying to get his son rightfully returned to him.

Roussos talked with editor Matt Allen about the current state of the case, the Hague Convention and the myriad legal issues involved with international custody issues.