PartWise | Common Questions

Common Questions

What you Need to Know

Find answers to specific questions that often come up as you navigate divorce.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Process

Getting Started

Can a mediator provide legal advice?

Parenting

How do divorced parents typically handle a parents’ birthday?

Parenting

If my co-parent disagrees with the timing of introducing a new significant other, what steps can we take to reach a consensus?

Parenting

How do we handle situations where one parent wants to discontinue an activity that the other parent and/or child enjoy and find beneficial?

Parenting

Do I have to agree to my co-parent adjusting the parenting schedule to go to an event with his family?

Process

Cash Flow

What happens if one party fails to fulfill their obligations under a direct payment agreement?

Property Division

Post Divorce

Are there tax implications to consider when transferring real estate post-divorce?

Parenting

What happens if a parent falsely claims a safety concern to limit the other parent's time with the children?

Post Divorce

What if my divorce decree does not include a name change provision?

Parenting

We have a week on/week off parenting schedule, but it’s too long to be away – is there anything I can do?

Legal

Property Division

What does it mean to be jointly and severally liable for debt in divorce?

Financial

Cash Flow

How can spouses ensure a fair and equitable lump sum buyout agreement?

Attorney

Cash Flow

Do I have to keep working with my attorney if I don’t like them?

Retirement

Post Divorce

Property Division

Are there any fees associated with the QDRO process?

Parenting

My co-parent doesn’t answer my calls when I want to talk to the children – what can I do?

Parenting

When one parent moves a greater distance away from the other, does the relocated parent have an obligation to facilitate and pay for additional transportation?

Retirement

Property Division

Why do I have to share retirement when I am the one that earned it all?

Retirement

Post Divorce

Property Division

How does the timing of the QDRO submission affect retirement asset division?

Financial

Cash Flow

Are property division and cash flow the same thing?

Getting Started

What if my spouse doesn’t want a divorce?

Parenting

What should I consider about co-parenting when moving to a different state with different custody label practices?

Parenting

How can we effectively communicate changes in transportation schedules without causing last-minute confusion?

Financial

Cash Flow

I want to retire but have a spousal support obligation, what should I do?

Legal

Cash Flow

My ex just took a new job and makes substantially more money than when we were divorced, do I have a right to more in spousal support?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

Will I have to share my business with my spouse after the divorce?

Retirement

Property Division

Post Divorce

Can I cash out retirement once transferred to me from a qualified retirement plan instead of setting up a separate account?

Financial

Cash Flow

What types of expenses can be paid directly as part of support in a divorce?

Cash Flow

What if my expenses change from my estimates?

Parenting

What should we do if one parent repeatedly fails to support or attend the child's extracurricular activities, causing the child to feel disappointed or unsupported?

Parenting

Cash Flow

What role does communication play in the successful implementation of different methods for sharing children's expenses after divorce?

Retirement

Post Divorce

Property Division

Can retirement assets be divided without a QDRO if both parties agree?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

Where do I find the "legal description" of real property or real estate?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

What are options for dividing/sharing equity in bank accounts?

Parenting

I lost my job and found a new job out of state, how will my parenting schedule be impacted if I have to move?

Process

Cash Flow

Can direct payment arrangements be modified after they are established?

Process

Parenting

What are the benefits of using a parent coordinator in a high-conflict co-parenting situation?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

How do I balance the cost of new furniture with the cost of the furniture I am leaving behind in divorce?

Process

Cash Flow

How can disputes over direct expenses be resolved in a divorce?

Process

Post Divorce

What happens if one spouse wants to keep the home but can't qualify for a mortgage on their own?

Property Division

What valuation date should be used for the final property division?

Parenting

When do holidays start/end in a co-parenting schedule?

Parenting

What legal steps can we take if one parent makes unilateral decisions without consulting the other?

Parenting

What are some effective ways to communicate and enforce consequences for major infractions when the children transition between our two homes?

Post Divorce

How do I change my name on my professional licenses and certifications?

Parenting

How can we ensure that our children understand and respect the rules and expectations set by both parents when they might be slightly different in each household?

Parenting

How should I address concerns about substance use during my co-parent's parenting time?

Financial

Property Division

Why can’t we both have our names on the 529 plans?

Asset Allocation

Post Divorce

Property Division

How do we divided joint credit card debt?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

Why is the vesting schedule important when evaluating stock options in divorce?

Parenting

How can we handle transportation logistics if one parent lives significantly farther away from the child’s school or extracurricular activities?

Parenting

What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of jurisdictions that do not use custody labels but instead focus on comprehensive parenting plans?

Parenting

What are some effective strategies for ensuring timely and consistent sharing of important information about our children’s school and medical updates?

Financial

Cash Flow

How do I calculate my income if I am a stay-at-home parent?

Parenting

What steps can we take if one parent frequently forgets to share important information about the children’s health or educational progress?

Attorney

Getting Started

What is the difference between a solo attorney and an attorney at a firm?

Attorney

Getting Started

What if my attorney isn’t responding to me or listening to me?

Getting Started

What do I do if my spouse and I have very different levels of divorce readiness?

Parenting

If one parent wants the children to participate in a specific religious activity and the other does not, how can this be resolved?

Cash Flow

Are there cost of living increases to spousal support?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

What if I moved my separate assets into a joint account?

Post Divorce

Property Division

Can I start my own accounts for the benefit of the children after the divorce?

Cash Flow

In a cash flow analysis, what if I only work part-time?

Asset Allocation

Post Divorce

Property Division

How do we divide frequent flyer miles or reward points after divorce?

Parenting

What should we do if one parent’s work schedule frequently conflicts with attending important school or medical appointments?

Parenting

We don’t have travel or vacation time built into our parenting plan, can I plan a vacation with the children?

Parenting

What role do family traditions play in maintaining extended family relationships after divorce?

Parenting

Our 13 year old child has indicated the parenting schedule they would like, should we follow their request?

Legal

Property Division

Is my state an equitable division state?

Process

Getting Started

What is a “kitchen table” divorce?

Financial

Property Division

I have been secretly saving money that my spouse doesn’t know about, can I keep all of it?

Parenting

How do I handle concerns about unsafe guests or influences at the other parent's home?

Financial

Property Division

What is the difference between a credit score and a credit report?

Process

Getting Started

If I don’t have an attorney, do I have to go in front of a judge to obtain a divorce?

Parenting

Can I prevent the other parent from smoking around our children?

Getting Started

How do I find a mediator?

Property Division

Post Divorce

Can we use a private contract (like a property settlement note) to handle the division of real estate equity?

Cash Flow

What if my bonus isn’t guaranteed - will it affect cash flow?

Property Division

Post Divorce

Property Division

What if the property is underwater (worth less than the mortgage) during the divorce?

Financial

Property Division

What are the most common outcomes for a division of personal property (our "stuff") in divorce?

Parenting

How can parents collaboratively develop a new parenting schedule that accommodates the needs of both parents and the children after a relocation?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

How is a signing bonus typically treated in a divorce settlement?

Parenting

What steps can we take to make the introduction of a new significant other as smooth and positive as possible for our children?

Parenting

What are some best practices for keeping each other informed about schedules, costs, and commitments related to our children's extracurricular activities?

Process

Parenting

My state doesn’t use the term “visitation” – so what is it called when my ex has time with the children?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

What’s the difference between a home equity loan and a HELOC (home equity line of credit)?

Financial

Cash Flow

What should I consider before agreeing to a direct payment arrangement in my divorce?

Financial

Cash Flow

Are there cost of living increases to child support?

Healthcare

Parenting

I have always been the primary decision-maker on medical decisions for the kids, does that have to change?

Attorney

Getting Started

How will an attorney communicate with me?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

What are Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and how do they differ from stock options?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

What is the difference between a year-end bonus and a performance bonus?

Attorney

Getting Started

Will I lose my retainer if I don’t want to work with my attorney anymore?

Parenting

How do divorced parents typically handle children’s birthdays?

Parenting

What tools or platforms can we use to facilitate effective and documented communication about the children’s schedules, health, and educational needs?

Asset Allocation

Property Division

Can we split our credit card debts in half?

Attorney

Getting Started

Do attorneys accept credit card payments?

Financial

Cash Flow

How are direct payment arrangements established in a divorce?

Process

Cash Flow

Can a lump sum buyout agreement be modified in the future?

Post Divorce

Can I change my name on my child's school records?

Parenting