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Questions to Ask Yourself Before Posting to Facebook During a Divorce

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

It's easy to see why social media can feel like a warm, fuzzy respite from the pain of a divorce. It is a place where you can reach supportive people in your life with one click. How else could you get sympathy from your childhood best friend, a Facebook friend you added while playing a game, and a co-worker all at the same time?

Despite how tempting it may be to share your sorrows on Facebook, you need to tread carefully when posting to the social media network before, during, and after a divorce. What you post can be used against you. Before you post on Facebook or any other social media apps during your divorce, ask yourself the following questions.

Consider This: Have You Discussed Social Media with Your Ex?

No matter how frustrated you are with your ex, maintain communication throughout the divorce whenever possible. If you have children, that's essential. One of the topics that you should discuss is how you both want to handle social media. You may choose to stay friends on social media or go your separate ways in the digital world.

If you share children, discuss how much you think should be shared about the goings-on of the kids. Some parents want a total ban on sharing photos on social media, while others enjoy posting them daily. You and your ex need to try to see eye-to-eye on how and when the children should be mentioned or depicted in Facebook posts.

Also, discuss how you want to handle the divorce on social media. You and your ex may decide to avoid the topic altogether on Facebook. Privately telling your friends is perfectly acceptable. On the other hand, you and your ex may share the divorce news in a post. Do what feels right to you. Try to come to an agreement with your ex. Once you do, stick with the agreement.

Consider This: Can What You're Posting Be Used Against You?

Well-documented divorce cases reveal that some lawyers peruse social media accounts to gather evidence and information that they use against the other party. Additionally, overly-negative social media posts could reflect badly on your character for potential employees or clients. Always consider how someone can use a Facebook against you.

Many parents long to vent on social media when parenthood gets difficult, but someone can easily misunderstand an innocent post where you complain about your parental responsibilities. It could come back to haunt you in a custody case. Also, consider whether a post could potentially hurt your kids if it is saved or exploited by your ex.

Consider This: Do You Want the Information to Be Public?

When you're composing a Facebook post, think about whether you're sharing information you'd like to be public knowledge. If it's not, don't post it. Changing the setting of your posts doesn't mean that much. People can screenshot any of your social media posts, and they may upload it the internet where it will never fully go away. Don't risk it.

This doesn't just pertain to big news. It may be something as simple as your child losing a first tooth. If you post it on social media, someone could innocently mention it to your ex. That could cause strife if you weren't the one to share this simple bit of news. Always consider whether you want any post to be public before publishing it.

Finally, never post to Facebook or any other social media site without carefully considering the potential consequences of a post. Your divorce lawyer can help with any concerns you have regarding divorce law and social media. Contact Krisor & Associates with any questions and concerns. We'll help you safeguard your best interests during your divorce.

Tips for Reaching a Child Custody Agreement

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

The process of getting a divorce involves making many decisions that impact your entire family. When a child is involved, one of the biggest agreements that must be reached is where the child will live and who will make the important decisions that affect their life - such as where they will attend school.

Child custody discussions can sometimes get heated, but it's always best if you can work out an agreement with your ex-spouse that allows everyone to feel comfortable with the new arrangements. Use these tips to reach a custody agreement that protects your child's best interests.

Understand the Different Types of Custody

In Indiana, there are several different types of custody. Physical custody refers to which parent has the child physically in their possession the majority of the time. Usually, this would mean the person that the child lives with, but it is also possible for parents to split physical custody equally.

Legal custody involves the right for one or both parents to make major decisions regarding health care, education, religion, and any other issues that arise. It is possible to have some degree of legal custody even if you do not have physical custody.

Know Your Options for Seeking Resolution

When seeking a divorce, you have several options for resolving child custody issues. Ideally, you can work out your differences with your ex-spouse through mediation - where you meet with a neutral party to try to reach an agreement. If this is not possible, then the courts can decide child custody.

Consider Your Child's Needs

Child custody decisions should always be made with your child's best interests in mind. When you and your ex-spouse cannot agree upon a specific part of your parenting plan, try to think of what is best for your child overall. This helps both parties to maintain the right perspective for promoting your child's wellbeing.

Be Familiar With State Parenting Guidelines

The Indiana State Parenting Guidelines have been adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court as being one way to resolve child custody and visitation disputes by meeting the child's needs to have both parents involved in their life.

Keep in mind that these guidelines only represent the minimal level of involvement that is recommended. However, it can give you a starting point for working with the other parent during the mediation process.

Try to Keep an Open Mind

There may be times when you and your child's other parent disagree during the discussions. When this happens, remain calm and consider your child's best interests. Try to keep other issues such as the division of property out of these discussions so that you can keep a positive attitude as you talk about your child's living and care arrangements.

Finalize Your Agreement

Once you have reached an agreement, you will be ready to work with a lawyer to get it all down on paper so that there is no question of what has been decided. This will then be submitted to the courts for approval. After it has been approved, it will be added to your final Decree of Dissolution.

If you and your family do come to a point where the custody arrangements are no longer working, you can have the final order modified. Keep in mind that you should stick to the current plan until you and your child's other parent have sought legal advice and worked through the proper channels to get the modifications approved by the court.

At The Law Firm of Krisor & Associates , we can help you navigate through the process of reaching a custody agreement that benefits your child. Contact us to get started today.

Why Bail Is Important for Defendants and the Criminal Justice System

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Most people have heard of bail, even if they have never attended a hearing or arraignment. Shows about law and police work often depict courtroom scenes where the criminal is set a certain amount of bail and then released from custody.

The purpose of bail is to help ensure that a person accused of a crime does not leave town or miss specified trial dates in court. The accused must pay a certain amount of money that is held as collateral until the person's case is over.

However, why is bail an essential part of the criminal justice system? Why was it implemented in the first place? Here's why bail is so important to every criminal case.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

One of the basic protections afforded to all people, whether guilty of a crime or not, is the presumption of innocence. The presumption of innocence is at the core of all criminal legal matters, and it is important because the role of the justice system is not to find and imprison as many people as possible, but instead to protect the innocent and keep the public safe.

The mantra "innocent until proven guilty" is also essential for the unfolding of any criminal case. When a person is arrested, they are not convicted of a crime. They are arrested so they might stand trial for the crime for which they are accused. Therefore, it is not right to hold an innocent person in prison for an extended period of time without a conviction.

However, the assumption of innocence has its challenges for the justice system. People who are guilty but who have not yet been convicted could use time not in prison to leave town or go into hiding. People who have committed dangerous crimes could endanger more people while awaiting trial.

This is where bail comes into play. Judges can release those who have been charged with specific crimes on the understanding that they will appear for further court proceedings. Bail allows the justice system to protect each person's right to be presumed innocent until guilt is proven, while still protecting the interest of the public safety.

Reduced Expense

Another important role that bail plays in the criminal justice system is to reduce the burden on the taxpayer. It is costly to hold all accused persons in the custody of the state until a trial date can be set. For areas with much criminal activity, a trial can take several months to come about.

When Bail Is Denied

A constitutional amendment made it unlawful to set excessive bail, charge excessive fines or submit anyone to cruel and unusual punishment. However, the amendment is ambiguous, and many different courts have taken it to mean different things. Because of this ambiguity, the Bail Reform Act of 1984 now allows judges to deny bail to certain individuals for certain crimes. According to the law as it stands now, a judge can deny bail in the interest of public safety. There must convincing evidence that releasing a person on bail will result in further crimes that could harm the community. Crimes that warrant denial include:

Felonies where the defendant already has a record of two prior convictions
Murder and other violent crimes
Serious crimes against minors
Drug crimes that would carry more than a decadelong prison sentence

However, being accused of the above crimes does not mean that the court will automatically deny bail. The judge carefully weighs the situation, the manner of arrest, the circumstances and the compiled evidence before waiving a right to bail for the priority of public safety.

It's important to remember that those held without bail are simply detained, or in detention, and are not being prematurely punished before conviction. For more information about bail and criminal representation, contact The Law Firm of Krisor & Associates .

How to Avoid a Financial Disaster During Your Divorce

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Getting divorced can be a very costly decision. The average financial loss in a divorce is nearly $20,000 and can be much more. Not only is the process of going through a divorce expensive, but it can also be shocking to go from being a part of a two-income family to supporting a household on your own.

Even with child support and alimony, divorce can be difficult for the lower-earning person, and the ex-spouse who is responsible for paying support can find that they struggle as well. No matter which side of the fence you are on, take care to avoid financial disaster during this already difficult time.

Educate Yourself on the Household Finances

If you are not already in the know about the household finances, start educating yourself about them immediately if you are considering a divorce. Think of it as taking a crash course on the household finances. Since one spouse often handles the finances, that leaves the other at a disadvantage during a divorce. Don't let that be you. Know how much is being earned and what it costs to run the household.

The more you know about the finances you are going to have to handle, the more empowered you can be to make wise financial decisions from the start of the divorce process. Ask questions about what you don't know. Don't let things go until you know as much as you want to about monthly earnings and expenditures. Even if it's out of your comfort zone, do it for yourself and your family.

Create a New Budget and Stick to It

Many people like to spend money when the going gets tough. "Retail therapy" is a popular term for good reasons. However, when you are getting a divorce, you want to cut back on spending instead. Create a budget that is reasonable as you transition from possibly relying on two paychecks to relying on one.

This doesn't have to all be doom and gloom, though. You can still indulge in little extras that make you feel good, but you need to prioritize which ones matter the most to you. Focus on first providing what you and your kids will need, then assess what you can afford that you really want. A budget can be a great way of bringing things into focus.

Take Charge of Your Credit

Spouses tend to share credit, and one spouse can ultimately wreck the other's credit during a marriage. Make sure that you get a detailed copy of your credit report from all major credit bureaus as you embark on your divorce. If you are confused or unclear about any debts, get more information from your soon-to-be ex.

When you divorce, you may end up owing money for things like expensive cars that you don't even want. When deciding what things you should keep after the divorce, question whether you would have purchased them solo. If not, you may want to sell them and use the proceeds to replace the items with more reasonable ones.

Get Help When You Need It

Knowing when to ask for help is one of the important ways of taking care of yourself. In the aftermath of a divorce, prioritizing self-care is a necessary part of self-preservation. Go to therapy if you have a hard time handling the divorce, and you could ultimately save a lot of money. Handling the trauma in a constructive, healthy way can prevent costly, self-destructive habits.

Finally, taking care of every aspect of your life is important during the divorce. Enlisting the help of a caring divorce lawyer can protect your best interests during this challenging time. At Krisor & Associates , we offer help with all aspects of family law from our location in Granger, Indiana. Founded in 1975, we have more than 30 years of experience in helping and serving our clients through divorce. Give us a call today.

Find Out if Debt Negotiation is Right for You

Wed, 10 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Have debt collectors been hounding you? There may be a solution that does not involve bankruptcy. Debt negotiation is a process where you work with creditors to reduce the amount you owe. Often times, creditors will be willing to reduce your debt by 50 or even 60 percent but having the right approach can make all the difference.

There are a few ways to approach debt negotiations:

Talk to your creditors and try to make a deal on your own
Use a debt settlement company
Hire an attorney who specializes in debt negotiations

Negotiating Debt on Your Own

Approaching your debt collectors without professional help can save you from paying a settlement company or attorney fees, but you run a high risk of losing money in the end. Debt negotiation is a nuanced field and if your creditors sense you don’t know the ins and outs of the game, they will likely take you to the cleaner while convincing you that you’ve made a great deal. Professional help is highly recommended.

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A debt settlement company appear to act as an intermediary in the negotiations, but there is no guarantee they will talk your debt down to a manageable level. In fact, creditors are often less inclined to deal with you if you hire a settlement company. Meanwhile, they will continue to take your money and reassure you that you are getting the best possible deal.

Using a settlement company can work to your advantage, but be sure to research the company you are looking into and ask as many questions as you can think of to ensure all of the necessary information is being passed along to you. If you don’t ask, they usually won’t go out of their way to let you know either.

Hiring a Debt Negotiation Attorney

There are a couple differences between using a settlement company and an attorney. A good debt negotiation attorney will be in your corner throughout the process. An experienced attorney will know the law and your rights better than your creditors or a settlement company. This means hiring an experienced attorney often offers the best outcome when you are negotiating down what you owe.

A skilled attorney will take the time to thoroughly investigate your individual situation and give you solid legal advice about how to proceed. If a creditor ever decides to open a lawsuit against you, having an attorney who is already intimate with your situation will also be a huge advantage.