Shelton Family Law Blog

Parents usually want to spend as much time as possible with their children. This may be especially true for divorced parents, whose time is already limited as it is. However, many parents just like you are choosing shared custody instead of fighting for primary custody. While this can be extremely beneficial for you and your child, getting accustomed to shared custody can take time.

Even with the best of intentions, you may make some decisions that compromise the stability of your shared custody. On the other hand, it might be hard for you and your ex to agree on certain matters. These issues may seem impossible, but with the right approach, you can have a successful co-parenting relationship with your ex.

The financial aspects of a divorce can linger on for many Connecticut couples long after the practical issues have been settled and the romantic relationship is over. However, when there is a wealth disparity within the marriage, one party may be tempted to "protect" some assets from the other spouse outside of the framework of the law. Equitable distribution means that not every asset will be divided directly in half. Nevertheless, some spouses, whether motivated by greed or a desire for revenge, continue to hide assets in order to prevent them from being included in the divorce settlement.

In many cases, the higher-earning partner in a marriage may have much higher levels of knowledge and control about family finances. This means that the other spouse may be at a serious disadvantage when it comes time to negotiate property division in a divorce. They may be relying on the spouse's claims and assertions. It can be important for both spouses to have full access to all financial paperwork and independently investigate claims about accounts, investments and other properties.

For individuals in Connecticut and elsewhere who are going through a gray divorce, the psychological and physical health impacts can be major, especially if they had previous health problems. However, these health impacts should be considered since divorce rates for those who are 50 years of age or older have nearly doubled since 1990.

In some cases, people who get a divorce after the age of 50 may experience psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety and chronic stress. Individuals who were in abusive relationships may even endure post-traumatic stress disorder, which can cause symptoms such as nightmares or flashbacks. Furthermore, psychological conditions can be linked to physical problems. Chronic stress, for example, can be linked to heart disease, insomnia and high blood pressure.

Connecticut couples who want a stronger marriage might want to consider cutting back on their social media usage. A study conducted by researchers at Boston University and several other organizations found a correlation between higher social media use and lower marital quality. People who are thinking about divorce or going through a divorce might also want to cut back on social media postings.

It is better to turn to relatives, friends or a therapist to vent about the divorce instead of putting negative posts on social media. People should also avoid sharing details about the divorce negotiations or final agreement. Spouses who are divorcing amicably might want to make an agreement about when they will discuss the divorce online. If there are kids involved, parents may want to include guidelines in the divorce agreement about whether children's photos or other information will be allowed on social media. Above all, people should keep in mind that any information they put online could be used against them in the divorce.