Anchorage Family Law Blog

What is a military family care plan and why is it important?

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

The military life isn't easy, but for the men and women who choose to serve, the need to take care of their children is just as important as anyone else. Because of the nature of life in the service, there are special precautions that they must take to ensure that their children have what they need even when the servicemember is called to handle duties that pull them away.

One thing that parents in the military must do is establish a family care plan. Even if you only have your child part time because of a custody order, you still need one of these plans filed with your commanding officer so that there is a structure to follow if you are deployed or have other duties come up suddenly.

A child support modification could improve your financial state

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. on Wednesday, October 16, 2019.

You have every intention of paying child support in full and on time, but that doesn't mean that things can't go wrong with your finances. From losing your job (and the paycheck that comes along with it) to a serious medical concern, your circumstances could change to the point of being unable to keep up with child support payments.

If you require a child support modification, it's critical to take action as quickly as possible. Until the court approves your request, you're expected to make full payments on your regular schedule.

How can virtual visits help parents in the military?

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

Being a parent in the military is a challenge, even when they live at home with you. When you are divorced and they live with the other parent, things can get much more difficult. The very nature of your job and the possibilities that come along with it can mean that seeing your children is complicated, and it might not happen as often as you'd like.

One option that might make things a tad easier is to use virtual visitation to spend time with your child. This enables you to communicate with them without having to get there in person. You don't use these in place of face-to-face visits. They are meant to be supplemental.

Understanding divorce laws in Alaska

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. on Thursday, August 15, 2019.

When getting divorced in the United States, you must understand the laws that apply in your state, since these heavily influence the process. In Alaska, it is possible to file for "no-fault" as well as "fault" based divorces. This gives you several options to weigh up.

The route you choose to take will likely have implications for several aspects of the divorce, including alimony and child custody rulings. This is why you must take the time to compare and contrast potential outcomes and apply the law to your situation. The following are some of the key divorce laws that you should be aware of in Alaska.

3 tips to care for yourself during a divorce

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

The end of a marriage is a problematic time in your life because you are dealing with the end of one way of life and venturing into the unknown. It doesn't matter if the marriage was a great one or a rocky one. You will still likely feel some sense of loss from the end of it.

There are many reasons why you might have grief in this situation. You may mourn the loss of the dreams you had for the union. You could feel as though you wasted a good portion of your life on the marriage. Finding ways to deal with all of these emotions can help you survive the divorce and move toward a stable future.

Divorce mediation: Questions you need to answer

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

If you're facing the divorce process and interested in easing tension, mediation is one of the best ways of doing so. While there are times when litigation is necessary, don't go down this path until you first understand what mediation has to offer.

There are many benefits of mediation, including but not limited to:

Less stress and tension than litigation, which helps if you'll co-parent in the future
More control over the process
Less time-consuming than litigation
Often more affordable than litigation

When and how should I tell my children about my divorce?

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. on Thursday, May 30, 2019.

Part of your job as a parent is to protect your children from harm, which is why telling your kids about your divorce can seem counterintuitive. You know the knowledge of your divorce may be emotionally painful for your children, so it is natural to want to avoid telling them about it.

However, in most situations it is best to tell your children about it sooner rather than later. The exact timing for this conversation may vary based on your situation, but it is often best to tell your children about your divorce before a parent moves out, a parenting plan takes effect or someone else tells your children about your divorce.

Military service and child custody require special planning

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. on Monday, May 20, 2019.

Child custody matters are difficult for any family to handle; however, military families have some added considerations that must be addressed. It is imperative that all service members and the individuals they share children with understand these important points.

The nature of military life means that the respective parent has to have plans in place for the children if they aren't in a relationship with the child's other parent any longer. This ensures that the children are cared for in the event the member has to leave suddenly or for a lengthy deployment.

When might legal separation be an appropriate choice?

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

If you and your spouse are having marital troubles, you might be considering what options are available to remedy the problem. While divorce is one possible option, it may not necessarily be the best option for your situation.

Legal separation is an option that would allow you and your spouse to live apart without ending your marriage. Legal separation offers different benefits and drawbacks than divorce offers, so legal separation may be a couple’s most appropriate option under some circumstances.

Can LGBT couples adopt in Alaska?

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

Unfortunately, not all adoption agencies in Alaska will consider LGBT people as good parental candidates to adopt. They often cite religious beliefs to discriminate against someone who wishes to adopt. However, if you are determined to adopt, there are public resources available to help you help others.