Lafayette Family Law Attorney Blog | Louisiana Child Custody Lawyer

Former NFL player Chad Johnson says he can't afford child support

On behalf of Joshua Guillory of The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory posted in Child Support on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.

When parents of young children breakup or divorce in Louisiana, one parent may be ordered to pay child support to ensure a couple's child or children receive the financial support they need from both parents.

Child support may be calculated based on the non-custodial parent's income and the amount of time the support-paying parent spends with his or her children. Because income is a major factor when determining child support, modifications may need to be made down the road when one's income increases or decreases drastically.

Recently, former NFL athlete Chad Johnson reported that he can no longer pay the amount of child support that he has been ordered to pay because he currently has no job. Johnson said that he was making $66,000 per month when he was ordered last year to pay $5,420 in child support every month. Now that he is unemployed, he may need to have his payments lowered to better reflect his current income.

Is divorce a cause to celebrate in Louisiana?

On behalf of Joshua Guillory of The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory posted in Divorce on Friday, May 17, 2013.

Individuals living in Lafayette or anywhere else in Louisiana that have been through divorce know that the process is not easy. Ending a marriage is a difficult decision that many heavily weigh before proceeding forward. Ultimately, many individuals simply know that no matter how much they wish that their marriage would work, the relationship simply is not functional.

Seeking the assistance of a skilled family law attorney and beginning the path to a divorce can feel overwhelming. However, once a happier set of living circumstances is on the horizon, many feel relieved and empowered. Is there an appropriate way to express these positive emotions relating to a new beginning after divorce?

How social media can hurt your child custody case

On behalf of Joshua Guillory of The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory posted in Child Custody on Wednesday, May 8, 2013.

Today, most people have at least one social media account. Social media websites are great for sharing photos, keeping in touch with long-distance friends and even gathering news. In some situations, however, social media can be destructive.

Think about the last time you vented about a difficult co-worker on Twitter or posted a picture of yourself on Facebook that you wouldn't want your mother to see. While posting comments or photos on social media sites may not seem like a big deal, if you are going through a divorce and working out a child custody agreement, posting the wrong thing can affect how the judge views you as a parent.

Is an end to lifetime alimony in our future?

On behalf of Joshua Guillory of The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory posted in Family Law on Friday, April 26, 2013.

Some Lafayette residents who keep up with family law news may have read some of the arguments in the last few years for ending lifetime alimony. Currently, many states allow lifetime alimony if a couple was married for a long time. Usually those spousal support payments will only end if the receiving spouse gets remarried or dies. Some say, however, that these laws are outdated and unfair.

While Louisiana has not made moves away from lifetime alimony yet, other states have. More than a year ago, Massachusetts implemented laws that changed the way alimony is handled. While lifetime alimony can still be awarded in some cases, the state created different types of alimony that are generally based on how long a couple was married and what need exists. Additionally, Florida lawmakers have sent a bill to the governor that would end lifetime spousal support and cap alimony payments. So what is the problem with lifetime alimony?

Kim Kardashian officially divorced

On behalf of Joshua Guillory of The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory posted in Divorce on Friday, April 19, 2013.

When we hear about celebrities in the news or read about them in magazines, it's easy to quickly pass judgment, assuming their lives are nothing like ours. And while many in Louisiana may not have the fortune or fame that celebrities do, one aspect of some people's lives may be more like celebrities than they think. We are talking about divorce.

When a couple decides to divorce -- whether in Louisiana or Hollywood -- they have to go through the process of separating their lives. This means agreeing on property division, spousal support, child custody and child support among other things. For couples who are able to divorce amicably, solutions to these issues can often be reached fairly quickly. However, couples who are not on good terms -- celebrity or not -- can find themselves caught in a long legal battle.

How to protect yourself with a prenup

On behalf of Joshua Guillory of The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory posted in Family Law on Wednesday, April 10, 2013.

Most of our Louisiana readers know what a prenuptial agreement is, and some of you may even have one. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a prenuptial agreement is a contract that a couple signs before they are married to basically decide the terms of their divorce, should they need one. A prenup can address everything from child support to spousal support to what will happen with a family business. And while each couple can tailor their prenup to their specific situation, a prenup must meet a few requirements to be upheld in divorce court.

First of all, both partners should be represented by an attorney, and each should have his or her own attorney. Not only will a prenup be more likely to be upheld in court if an attorney was present for its signing, but working with an attorney will also ensure that both parties are protected and treated fairly in the agreement.

Why a divorce may be good for your kids

On behalf of Joshua Guillory of The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory posted in Divorce on Thursday, April 4, 2013.

If you have decided to get a divorce - or have been divorced - you know that there are many things to consider during the process. For parents, how their children will fare during a split is often at the forefront of considerations. While many parents get caught up in the age-old thinking that staying together would have been better for the children, a recent article in the Huffington Post offers some reasons why divorcing may actually be more beneficial.

The author of the article says that handling your divorce in the right way can leave your kids feeling better about their parents than if you had stayed together in an unloving relationship. So, what is the best way to divorce? The author says focusing on your children is a must.

Managing the financial side of divorce

On behalf of Joshua Guillory of The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory posted in Divorce on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

As divorced Lafayette residents know, getting a divorce often means a complete upheaval of your finances. Whether your finances are altered because you've been ordered to pay child support and alimony or because you're lacking the double income you used to have, it's important to take action right away to get them back on track.

In order to build a working budget that makes sense for your new lifestyle, there are a few things you need to take a look at. The first thing is your insurance.

How divorce promotes marriage: the benefit of a legal split

On behalf of Joshua Guillory of The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory posted in Divorce on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

Divorce rates in the U.S. have been high for quite some time, and many people in Louisiana are divorced or know of someone who has gone through a divorce. Now, perhaps because of the high rate of divorce, marriage rates in the country are lower than ever. While trying to avoid divorce, however, some find that breakups can be even worse without it.

When couples build a life together without the legal contract of marriage, breaking up can be a nightmare. Who gets the house? How will you share time with your children? What about spousal support or child support? People who aren't married can't get divorced, so they are often left to deal with these issues on their own.

Why handling your own divorce can be problematic

On behalf of Joshua Guillory of The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory posted in Divorce on Monday, March 11, 2013.

In the tough economy we live in, many Louisiana residents are pinching pennies to make ends meet. We are constantly looking for ways to save money, whether that means clipping coupons, shopping sales or cutting back on some unnecessary expenses. In many areas of life, this is a good idea. When it comes to divorce, however, it often is not.

A way to save money in divorce is to do the paperwork yourself. The risk you take in doing this, however, can be substantial. Think of all of the decisions that need to be made in a divorce. You and your ex will have to split your marital assets, including the family home. That doesn't just entail physical items like cars and furniture. You'll have to deal with retirement accounts and health insurance as well. On top of all of that, you need to discuss spousal support and child custody and support if you have children. To say things can get complicated would be an understatement.

Lafayette Family Law Blog