Anchorage Family Law Blog

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.

What is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order?

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. posted in divorce on Monday, January 28, 2019.

When a couple divorces, there are many complex issues to sort out, including the division of property, money and assets.

There are the obvious pieces of property to negotiate such as who might keep the house, the cars or the heirloom furniture, but couples may question how retirement accounts are handled.

Dividing retirement benefits in a military divorce

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. posted in divorce on Friday, January 18, 2019.

Military members dedicate their lives to serving their country. Because of their great service and sacrifices, the government offers certain benefits. During a military divorce, it can get confusing on who will receive what. It's important that both spouses in a divorce receive a fair share of these assets.

What's the difference between divorce and dissolution?

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. posted in divorce on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

If you're contemplating a separation from your spouse, you may be wondering about your options. Alaska law recognizes two methods to terminate a marriage-divorce and dissolution. While they end with the same result, these methods have their differences.

Both choices terminate a marriage, but are different routes to get there.

Collaborative divorce and property division: Who gets the house?

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. posted in divorce on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

Your home is often one of the largest investments you make in your lifetime. So, it makes sense that one of your biggest worries in a divorce might be what could happen to the house.

If you bought your home with your spouse, then it is considered marital property and subject to division. Deciding who gets the house, or how to divide it, could cause even more issues in the already stressful situation of a divorce. Collaborative law strategies could help reduce that stress. Through a collaborative divorce, you could maintain the peace and negotiate a fair decision regarding your family home.

How to prepare for adoption

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. posted in adoption on Thursday, October 18, 2018.

Deciding to add a new member to your family is exciting, especially if you are deciding to adopt. Adopting a child is complicated but ultimately rewarding. It takes time and commitment but it is worth it in the end.

There are many steps you will need to take in order to adopt a child. The process is long and can be complicated. Even preparing to begin the adoption process can take hard work. Here are three steps you should take in order to prepare to adopt a child

Managing a co-parenting dynamic after divorce

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. posted in divorce on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

Parenting after a divorce can be a challenging task for former spouses to handle in a successful and productive manner. Despite any personal issue between the two of you, the most important part of your shared lives is your children. Even for divorced couples without major tensions, co-parenting can present a set of unique challenges.

Balancing schedules, maintaining communication and remaining cooperative are all important elements of co-parenting after a divorce. Consider some of the resources and advise for former spouses as you navigate the new parenting dynamics and determine what works best for the entire family.

My spouse is hiding from me: Can I still get a divorce?

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. posted in divorce on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

A hidden spouse is a rare situation but sometimes -- if two Alaska spouses haven't been in contact for some time -- one spouse might have trouble locating the other. Whether this inability to find the other spouse happened because the other spouse is "hiding" or simply due to the accidental loss of contact, this brings up an interesting question: Can you still get a divorce in Alaska if you can't find your spouse?

Fortunately, you can still receive a divorce, even when you can't seem to locate your husband or wife. Here's how:

3 types of divorce mediation

On behalf of Dorothea G. Aguero, Attorney at Law, P.C. posted in divorce on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

When two spouses decide to mediate their divorce, they've usually made the right decision. When mediation works for two spouses who are willing to communicate, cooperate and compromise, the process will save them time, money and stress.

There are, however, an array of mediation solutions that the couple will have to choose from. Here are three of the most common types of divorce mediation that might apply to a couple depending on their circumstances and needs.