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“When faced with the question of whether you should stay in a marriage, difficult emotions are bound to arise…. Despite the emotions involved, a life-changing decision needs to be made when considering the financial, emotional, and legal implications specific to your situation. The first question you should ask is: ‘Should I file for divorce or repair my marriage?’.” Thus begins Getting Divorced... Now What?, a new go-to guide on making the process of divorce less painful. Life And Expectations Change No one expects they will be heading for divorce when they say yes to a proposal from someone they deeply love. But life, growth, and experience inevitably change people, and if one’s spouse is unable to accept those changes, divorce also becomes inevitable. Whether the divorce is amicable or catches one party off-guard will determine how complicated and emotionally devastating this life-changing event becomes. Getting Divorce… Now What Written by family law and litigation attorney Rachel King, Getting Divorced... Now What? explores the many complexities of divorce. Her main goal in writing the book was to compile what she’s learned over ten years of representing and witnessing thousands of family court cases into a compassionate, relatable roadmap for those who may not be able afford an attorney. It provides the tools necessary for anyone contemplating divorce—or in the midst of one—to confidently navigate the rigors (emotional and legal) of divorce and simplify the complicated chapter of their life. Real-Life Stories One key element of Getting Divorced… Now What? are real-life anecdotes and stories that offer a sense of relief, letting them know that they are not going through their divorce alone. Here’s a quick excerpt of one story (names and facts have been altered to protect the individuals involved): “Meet Sarah and John: They live in the heart of a bustling city, amidst the chaotic rhythm of life. They married at 23 years old, right after college, deeply in love, and quickly started their family. Now, thirteen years later, life is taking its toll on their marriage…. She finds herself overwhelmed, and her marriage is feeling the brunt of it. She is torn between wanting to save the marriage, or realizing that maybe it's too late, and it’s time to move on. A lot has happened over fifteen years. She is exhausted and not sure if she is emotionally willing to invest another day in her marriage.…. Their journey began like a fairy tale, with stolen glances, and promises of forever. Yet, as time and life unfurled its complexities, cracks began to form in the once-solid foundation of their marriage. Sarah, with her heart heavy with burden, finds solace in the silent confinements of her therapist's office. Should she stay or should she go?” You Are Not Alone With many anecdotes, stories, and practical and authoritative information from Rachel King’s ten years of experience, by the time you’re done reading Getting Divorced… Now What?, you will no doubt believe “You are not alone, and you will survive!” Take your first step towards healing and empowerment by checking out a free chapter of Getting Divorced… Now What? And look for the book when it’s released on January 15, 2025. Get answers to all of your burning questions about Getting Divorced… Now What? Disclaimer: Getting Divorced… Now What? is not a replacement or substitute for legal advice. You should speak with an attorney in your jurisdiction to get legal advice on your case. The book is not legal advice and is not intended to be legal advice. The book is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Buying, reading, or otherwise using this book does not establish an attorney-client relationship, nor does it constitute legal advice.

Complexities aside, representing yourself in a divorce should always be a last resort. We understand not everyone can afford a high-priced attorney, but the inability to separate one’s emotions keeps a lot of people from logical, rational discourse, which inevitably leads to an outcome that’s skewed in the spouse’s favor. However, if you must act pro se (‘pro•say’; meaning to act as your own attorney), consider these five factors. 1. Do Your Research Not all online forms, do-it-yourself guides, and resources are created equal. If you choose to act pro se, do plenty of research into every facet of the process. Legal Terms: You will need to be familiar with many legalities throughout the process, the most important being ex parte (ex•par-tay) communications. These are unsolicited documents, calls, or visits with the judge or clerk, or communications that weren’t transmitted to the opposing attorney. Following the Law: Though some judges are more lenient when representing yourself, they still expect you to follow the law. Be aware of deadlines, courtroom etiquette, correct filing, and rules of evidence. Claiming you didn’t know is never a viable excuse. Communicate: Failing to meet deadlines or respond to paperwork, will always be your fault and may result in a default judgement. Make sure the court, administrator, and spouse’s attorney all have your most recent home address and a professional email account. 2. Custody and Property Representing yourself poorly may affect custody, visitation, support, and property received. Custody: It’s important to know the difference between physical and legal custody, and sole vs. joint custody. You should also understand that agreeing to custody arrangements without considering modification could keep you from changing them in the future. Property Division: It may seem easy enough, but real property has a lot of unknown secrets. For example: if you take your name off the title of your home but not the mortgage, you may still be responsible for payments should your spouse fail to pay. Take this into account for credit card debt and car loans as well. 3. Accessing documents from your spouse How do you subpoena documents? Not knowing how or what documents to collect could lead to mishandled evidence, late filings, and incomplete paperwork. 4. Stay Away from Social Media Social media during a divorce is not your friend. Every post you make, no matter if it’s hidden, may be admitted as evidence. 5. Attorneys cannot provide unsolicited legal advice Some attorneys provide free consultations, but this doesn’t mean they provide free legal advice. Nor does the opposing attorney have an obligation to assist you in any way. Limited Scope Basis: Attorneys may provide this type of representation, in which you pay a small fee for specific tasks, such as filing paperwork. In summary, when acting pro se in a divorce, do plenty of research, stay on top of paperwork, understand the ins and outs of custody and property arrangements, stay clear of social media, and identify all laws required of your state and county.

Screenshot Rumors have been swirling around Hollywood that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s marriage is all but over. It started May 17 when Lopez attended the Met Gala alone one day after the two were spotted together at Affleck’s son’s school play. His absence could very well have been due to scheduling obligations on his new film, but that didn’t stop In Touch Weekly from firing the first shot of turmoil. So, how did we get here? When the Romance Started Affleck and Lopez first met in 2002 on the set of Gigli. The movie may have bombed, but their love affair became a blockbuster of epic proportions. So much so, they were labeled “Bennifer”, igniting the trendy pop-culture-name mashup craze. The hottest couple around was engaged later that year, but the spark soon fizzled. After calling off their 2003 wedding (supposedly because of “excessive media attention”), their separation became official in January 2004. Both seemed to move on quickly, though. Lopez married Marc Anthony in 2004; a year later, Affleck married his new girlfriend, Jennifer Garner. Relationships Crumble Lopez and Anthony were the first to call it quits, ending their marriage in 2014. Affleck and Garner lasted another four years before their divorce was finalized in 2018. Both then moved on to new suitors for a brief period. But as Affleck’s flirtation with Ana de Armes fizzled and Lopez’s engagement to baseball phenom Alex Rodriguez ended in 2019, the door was finally open for Affleck and Lopez to rekindle their tabloid flame. A Second Chance at Love The Bennifer hurricane swept through the rumor mill once again when Affleck and Lopez separately attended the Vax Live concert. They were then spotted together several times over the next few months. Their newfound love quickly flourished into another engagement, this time culminating in marriage at a 2022 Las Vegas ceremony at the A Little White Wedding Chapel. What About Their Kids? Even though Affleck and Anthony only have visitation rights to see their kids, both Affleck and Lopez share joint legal custody with their respective exes, and all parties feel the same when it comes to the health, safety, and education of their children. An US weekly source has stated, “They have a mutual respect for each other as parents and know how well all their kids get along. They want to foster and nurture those relationships and will do whatever it takes to show their support.” What now? Neither Affleck nor Lopez has confirmed or denied these rumors. That hasn’t stopped sources from revealing the couple doesn’t see eye-to-eye on parenting and finances, nor does it negate the fact that Affleck has moved out of their home. It doesn’t help, either, that Lopez canceled her This Is Me… Live tour, citing the need to spend more time with her family to be “absolutely necessary.” This still isn’t enough to know if the marriage is over. Until an official announcement is released, we can assume this is nothing more than a Schrodinger’s cat situation — Affleck and Lopez are both happily married and filing for divorce.

Men and women have been celebrating Valentine’s Day since at least the 17 th century. Most people celebrate with candy, flowers, and cards. Others get down on one knee with an expensive ring in hand. If you were fortunate enough to give or receive a proposal on February 14 th, your heart is probably still aflutter with the strike of Cupid’s arrow and your everlasting love. However, behind the euphoria lies the reality of divorce. The Mask of Euphoria No one wants to believe divorce will happen to them, but even the strongest couples are in danger of growing apart. People change, fall out of love, or travel different paths than they originally intended. And when we hide from the possibility of divorce, we forget to protect ourselves—and our assets—from future turmoil. The Prenuptial Agreement Despite popular belief, you do not need to be a celebrity or multi-millionaire to draft a prenuptial agreement. A Prenuptial agreement (or prenup) is a written contract that protects each party from fraud or unfair distribution of assets. Separate vs. Community Property When considering a prenuptial agreement, you must understand the difference between separate and community property. Assets and debts accumulated prior to marriage are known as separate property. Assets and debts acquired during a marriage are considered community property. When a couple divorces, only community property is divided equally among both parties. However, separate property often becomes tangled in community property. Prenups help solidify the division between separate and community property. Key Advantages of Prenuptial Agreements Couples do not divide outstanding debts brought into the marriage. Protects the inheritance for a child from a previous marriage. Clarifies financial responsibilities—joint accounts, credit cards, retirement accounts, and household bills—and sets guidelines for gambling, stock trading, donations, tithing, and child bank accounts. Protects the assets of businesses started prior to the marriage, preventing liquidation, division, or the sale of the business. Provides financial protection if you must give up a lucrative job because of the marriage. Can ease the stress in a marriage. Avoids lengthy and costly arguments and mediations during a divorce. Key Disadvantages of Prenuptial Agreements May look like you’re not serious about the relationship, are negative about the marriage, or are planning to divorce sometime in the future. May cause animosity or lack of trust. May require you to surrender the right to inherit your spouse’s estate if they die. May not acquire the increase in the value of a spouse’s business. May not sustain the lifestyle you setup during the marriage. Should You Get a Prenup? Not all couples need a prenup, but if you have large assets going into the marriage, such as a business or a house, drafting a prenup is a sensible, rational decision. Call King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc. to learn more before your I dos turn into I don’ts.