Cordell & Cordell Men's Divorce Podcast

This month, Cordell & Cordell CEO/Managing Partner Scott Trout and Litigation Partner Kristin Zurek discuss one of the more troubling aspects of family law: abuse and neglect issues in child custody.

They discuss the role abuse and neglect play in family law from a broad perspective (0:45); how abuse is usually brought up in initial consultations (1:30); whether abuse can affect property division (2:10); how attorneys respond when their clients are accused of abuse (2:45); the different types of abuse (4:00); how courts react to different kinds of abuse (4:50); how to defend yourself against allegations of abuse (5:50); the importance of witnesses in abuse cases (7:50); the risks of using kids as witnesses (10:10); orders of protection (11:53); the challenges guys face when they’re the victims of abuse (18:11); the role a Guardian ad Litem plays in custody cases (22:50); parental alienation syndrome (33:18); issues surrounding drug and alcohol abuse (39:37); and more.

The post How Abuse And Neglect Affect Child Custody appeared first on Cordell & Cordell.

The post How Abuse And Neglect Affect Child Custody first appeared on Cordell & Cordell.

Cordell & Cordell Managing Partner/CEO Scott Trout is joined by Cordell & Cordell attorneys Tammy Repaso and William Halaz to discuss the ins and outs of mediation and how it can be beneficial to your case.

They describe how formal or informal mediation can be an avenue to a settlement or an avenue to information (0:52); how mediation is not a replacement for representation (2:43); the advantages of informal mediation (6:20); the importance of preparation before mediation (7:00); understanding the mediator’s role in the process (7:53); the importance of understanding the laws of the state as they pertain to the case (12:47); how a client’s goals determine a good deal from a bad deal (15:22); the importance of getting everything in writing (20:34); what misconceptions there are regarding mediation (26:30); and the impact of hiding assets (33:10) and more.

The post Taking Advantage of Mediation first appeared on Cordell & Cordell.

Cordell & Cordell Managing Partner/CEO Scott Trout is joined by licensed professional counselor Erika Ottolini. They detail the various emotions and struggles men can experience during the divorce process and how that factors in from both a legal and mental health perspective.

They cover the emotional dangers men must navigate during divorce and the importance of using logic over emotion when making decisions (1:00); the consequences of failing to seek support for mental health issues and the social stigma that prevents many men from getting the help they need (4:05); the problems attorneys encounter when working with a client who refuses to seek support (10:10); how men and fathers should go about finding mental health resources (15:17); how mental health support can benefit a father as he tries to co-parent with his ex (18:55); whether there is a timetable for seeking a child custody modification when working through mental health issues (24:40); and more.

The post Understanding Mental Health And Divorce first appeared on Cordell & Cordell.

Cordell & Cordell Managing Partner/CEO Scott Trout answers some common questions fathers often have about trying to obtain custody.

Mr. Trout discusses whether dads have an uphill battle when fighting for custody (0:28); defines the different types of custody (2:18); explains what factors a court considers when determining custody (4:23); reviews what role outside witnesses can play in a custody case (10:33); goes over overlooked issues that can complicate a custody case (18:30); and gives tips for working with your ex to co-parent (23:45).

The post A Father’s Guide To Child Custody appeared first on Cordell & Cordell.

The post A Father’s Guide To Child Custody first appeared on Cordell & Cordell.

Cordell & Cordell Managing Partner/CEO Scott Trout is joined by Christina Strait, broker/owner of Strait Realty, and Tom Mueller, Vice President of Mortgage Lending for Central Bank of St. Louis, for a discussion concerning the various issues homeowners and sellers encounter when they go through divorce. The marital home is typically one of the most valuable assets a couple owns and divorce can create a host of complications.

Ms. Strait and Mr. Mueller explain the ramifications of selling the home during divorce (6:39), the best time to sell when preparing for a divorce (13:10), how to refinance a home mortgage during divorce (14:43), the consequences of waiting too long to sell or refinance after divorce (21:30), why it’s beneficial to work with a realtor to help figure out your post-divorce living arrangement (25:45), and more.

The post Breaking Up The Home: What To Do With The House appeared first on Cordell & Cordell.

The post Breaking Up The Home: What To Do With The House first appeared on Cordell & Cordell.