Anchorage Family Law Blog

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.

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.