Mediation is really popular – it’s very trendy. Lots of people are interested in the idea of mediation and it makes sense because really the thought behind it is parties get together, they sit down, they talk through their disputes versus having a judge decide how things are going to work.
So I think that’s the big plus to mediation, and most people’s conceptions of it is pretty accurate. The big thing for most folks to really understand is that if they go to mediation, most commonly it’s the party’s going alone with a neutral mediator. And the neutral mediator then helps facilitate a discussion between the parties in terms of creative resolutions that might be out there. A big difference between mediation and simply having an attorney on the front end though is the mediator can’t divorce you. So if you reach an agreement in mediation, then generally speaking, one of the parties at least is still going to need to hire an attorney to file the divorce in court, file settlement paperwork in court, and conclude it.
But at the end of the day, if parties are able to do this, they can save a lot of money, they can save a lot of time, and certainly the heartache of going through a contentious divorce isn’t the case if parties can reach a resolution in mediation.
By: Kirk C. Stange
Mediation is really popular – it’s very trendy. Lots of people are interested in the idea of mediation and it makes sense because really the thought behind it is parties get together, they sit down, they talk through their disputes versus having a judge decide how things are going to work.
So I think that’s the big plus to mediation, and most people’s conceptions of it is pretty accurate. The big thing for most folks to really understand is that if they go to mediation, most commonly it’s the party’s going alone with a neutral mediator. And the neutral mediator then helps facilitate a discussion between the parties in terms of creative resolutions that might be out there. A big difference between mediation and simply having an attorney on the front end though is the mediator can’t divorce you. So if you reach an agreement in mediation, then generally speaking, one of the parties at least is still going to need to hire an attorney to file the divorce in court, file settlement paperwork in court, and conclude it.
But at the end of the day, if parties are able to do this, they can save a lot of money, they can save a lot of time, and certainly the heartache of going through a contentious divorce isn’t the case if parties can reach a resolution in mediation.
By: Kirk C. Stange
Motions to modify are really common cases in the family laws, we resolve. Take a child custody order for example, let’s say the court utters a child custody order, in some states it’s called a parenting plan. And then let’s say after the passage of time there is changed circumstances that have taken place, of a substantial and continuing in nature that make it really unreasonable that the parties continue to follow that parenting plan that is outdated at this point.
So a party can file a motion to modify, for example, to try to modify that parenting plan to make it current with what’s taking place at the present time. This could be with issues with spousal support and child support as well. In many cases, there is an order that’s entered as part of a case and it’s reasonable at that time but as years go by, circumstances change, maybe there is different jobs that parties have, that order becomes unreasonable at that certain point in time and that’s where a party again could consider a motion to modify to try to modify or amend that order to make it really current in terms of the current situation of the party. So, parties that are seeking help with a motion to modify, we can definitely help.
By: Kirk C. Stange
Motions to modify are really common cases in the family laws, we resolve. Take a child custody order for example, let’s say the court utters a child custody order, in some states it’s called a parenting plan. And then let’s say after the passage of time there is changed circumstances that have taken place, of a substantial and continuing in nature that make it really unreasonable that the parties continue to follow that parenting plan that is outdated at this point.
So a party can file a motion to modify, for example, to try to modify that parenting plan to make it current with what’s taking place at the present time. This could be with issues with spousal support and child support as well. In many cases, there is an order that’s entered as part of a case and it’s reasonable at that time but as years go by, circumstances change, maybe there is different jobs that parties have, that order becomes unreasonable at that certain point in time and that’s where a party again could consider a motion to modify to try to modify or amend that order to make it really current in terms of the current situation of the party. So, parties that are seeking help with a motion to modify, we can definitely help.
By: Kirk C. Stange
Parties going through a paternity case should know that they’re in a common situation, that at the end of the day – next to divorce – paternity cases are really the most common type of family law matter that’s out there. Paternity cases are really just custody andย child support disputes among parties that had kids that weren’t married. These cases are common.
It’s important to have an attorney throughout the process helping you if you’re going through one of these cases. Again, 40% of kids are born out of wedlock in the United States as things stand today.
So, next to divorce, paternity cases are really a very common case. They’re important cases and the ramifications for parties and the children are really tremendous. So, it’s important to have representation that’s effective if you’re going through a paternity case.
By: Kirk C. Stange
Parties going through a paternity case should know that they’re in a common situation, that at the end of the day – next to divorce – paternity cases are really the most common type of family law matter that’s out there. Paternity cases are really just custody andย child support disputes among parties that had kids that weren’t married. These cases are common.
It’s important to have an attorney throughout the process helping you if you’re going through one of these cases. Again, 40% of kids are born out of wedlock in the United States as things stand today.
So, next to divorce, paternity cases are really a very common case. They’re important cases and the ramifications for parties and the children are really tremendous. So, it’s important to have representation that’s effective if you’re going through a paternity case.
By: Kirk C. Stange
For those going through a divorce or family law matter, there’s certain cases where parties should at least consider hiring a private investigator for their case. It’s not necessary in every case. But in cases, for example, involving allegations of martial misconduct, a private investigator can often times assist. They can often assist in child custody cases, child support cases, and spousal support cases.
Really the information they can provide is really from a fact-based scenario. Often times they’re able to get information that can help present the case to the judge in the best possible light. So if you’re going through a divorce or family law matter, you’re interested in terms of hiring a private investigator, Stange Law Firm can help lead you in the right direction.
By: Kirk C. Stange
For those going through a divorce or family law matter, there’s certain cases where parties should at least consider hiring a private investigator for their case. It’s not necessary in every case. But in cases, for example, involving allegations of martial misconduct, a private investigator can often times assist. They can often assist in child custody cases, child support cases, and spousal support cases.
Really the information they can provide is really from a fact-based scenario. Often times they’re able to get information that can help present the case to the judge in the best possible light. So if you’re going through a divorce or family law matter, you’re interested in terms of hiring a private investigator, Stange Law Firm can help lead you in the right direction.
By: Kirk C. Stange
Stange Law Firm is a growing law firm in Missouri and Illinois. We’re growing at a very quick pace. For individuals out there that are looking for opportunities, they’re looking for the ability to be in a courtroom for example, to be promoted, to have additional responsibilities, Stange Law Firm is a tremendous opportunity because there’s very few law firms in this region growing at the pace of Stange Law Firm.
I think that’s recognized in terms of the awards and the accolades our firm has received. We’ve been on the St. Louis Business Journal’s list at the top law firms in St. Louis in terms of the size and the number of attorneys that we have. So I think that’s a critical feature Stange Law Firm. I think we have a great compensation plan.
We’ve got a great benefit plan for all of our employees. So for those looking for a growing environment, looking for a way to really put themselves out there, show what they can do in the legal community or otherwise, Stange Law Firm’s a great opportunity. I would certainly encourage those looking for employment in Missouri and Illinois and throughout the Midwest to consider Stange Law Firm. We’re a great place to work.
By: Kirk C. Stange
Stange Law Firm is a growing law firm in Missouri and Illinois. We’re growing at a very quick pace. For individuals out there that are looking for opportunities, they’re looking for the ability to be in a courtroom for example, to be promoted, to have additional responsibilities, Stange Law Firm is a tremendous opportunity because there’s very few law firms in this region growing at the pace of Stange Law Firm.
I think that’s recognized in terms of the awards and the accolades our firm has received. We’ve been on the St. Louis Business Journal’s list at the top law firms in St. Louis in terms of the size and the number of attorneys that we have. So I think that’s a critical feature Stange Law Firm. I think we have a great compensation plan.
We’ve got a great benefit plan for all of our employees. So for those looking for a growing environment, looking for a way to really put themselves out there, show what they can do in the legal community or otherwise, Stange Law Firm’s a great opportunity. I would certainly encourage those looking for employment in Missouri and Illinois and throughout the Midwest to consider Stange Law Firm. We’re a great place to work.
By: Kirk C. Stange
My name is Jillian Wood. I’m a partner with the Stange Law Firm, primarily oversee the firm’s Illinois offices. The primary focus of my practice has been previously complex litigation and appellate practice.
However, the firm, including my area of practice, is moving more towardsย mediation and collaborative law as well. The differences between the two is that sometimes folks don’t want to undergo a complex litigation. It’s very, very emotional. It’s costly. It’s time consuming. The firm does offer these other options, and I think it’s important for clients to consider other options for going through the divorce process. Certainly mediation and collaborative law offer opportunities for clients to limit that acrimony, limit the contention that goes on with a traditional litigation.
So, I would encourage anyone who is about to go through this process, which is going to be a difficult process, to come in, talk to us, explore those other options because I think that those may be better options for some folks than the traditional litigation route.
By: Jillian A. Wood
My name is Jillian Wood. I’m a partner with the Stange Law Firm, primarily oversee the firm’s Illinois offices. The primary focus of my practice has been previously complex litigation and appellate practice.
However, the firm, including my area of practice, is moving more towardsย mediation and collaborative law as well. The differences between the two is that sometimes folks don’t want to undergo a complex litigation. It’s very, very emotional. It’s costly. It’s time consuming. The firm does offer these other options, and I think it’s important for clients to consider other options for going through the divorce process. Certainly mediation and collaborative law offer opportunities for clients to limit that acrimony, limit the contention that goes on with a traditional litigation.
So, I would encourage anyone who is about to go through this process, which is going to be a difficult process, to come in, talk to us, explore those other options because I think that those may be better options for some folks than the traditional litigation route.
By: Jillian A. Wood
Those going through a high asset divorce really have a lot at stake, because a lot of those individuals have worked very hard to get where they are in life. And so, when they’re going through divorce, they’ve got a lot of concerns. They’re concerned about how they’re able to preserve their assets and kind of maintain that standard of living that they took so much effort and time to build up.
And so lots of different things that folks going through a high asset divorce ought to at least consider doing, versus maybe individuals who don’t have a lot of assets, I would say is having expert help. In some cases you might want a forensic accountant. You might need an appraiser. You might need what’s called a business evaluator if a business is involved in the case. And so think about expert witnesses. They can become crucial in a high asset case. And then another key piece is really having a good inventory or list of the assets that are out there.
Obviously in a simple case there’s not a whole lot there, but the complex cases, it’s really critical to be very organized, very concise with your attorney, so your attorney knows how to best represent you in the process versus kind of finding out through the case, you know, there’s this asset and that asset that maybe the attorney didn’t know about from day one.
By: Kirk C. Stange
Those going through a high asset divorce really have a lot at stake, because a lot of those individuals have worked very hard to get where they are in life. And so, when they’re going through divorce, they’ve got a lot of concerns. They’re concerned about how they’re able to preserve their assets and kind of maintain that standard of living that they took so much effort and time to build up.
And so lots of different things that folks going through a high asset divorce ought to at least consider doing, versus maybe individuals who don’t have a lot of assets, I would say is having expert help. In some cases you might want a forensic accountant. You might need an appraiser. You might need what’s called a business evaluator if a business is involved in the case. And so think about expert witnesses. They can become crucial in a high asset case. And then another key piece is really having a good inventory or list of the assets that are out there.
Obviously in a simple case there’s not a whole lot there, but the complex cases, it’s really critical to be very organized, very concise with your attorney, so your attorney knows how to best represent you in the process versus kind of finding out through the case, you know, there’s this asset and that asset that maybe the attorney didn’t know about from day one.
By: Kirk C. Stange
I’m John Kershman. I’m a partner at the Stange Law Firm where I practice complex domestic litigation and appeals in the state of Missouri. In addition to having considerable experience with complex litigation as an attorney, I’ve been through the process as a child and as an adult and I have training in collaborative law and mediation to be able to pursue reasonable resolutions where those opportunities present themselves. A solid professional is the key throughout this entire process. Unfortunately, not all situations are capable of being resolved amicably and you need a solid professional on your side to try your case.
By: John Kershman
I’m John Kershman. I’m a partner at the Stange Law Firm where I practice complex domestic litigation and appeals in the state of Missouri. In addition to having considerable experience with complex litigation as an attorney, I’ve been through the process as a child and as an adult and I have training in collaborative law and mediation to be able to pursue reasonable resolutions where those opportunities present themselves. A solid professional is the key throughout this entire process. Unfortunately, not all situations are capable of being resolved amicably and you need a solid professional on your side to try your case.
By: John Kershman
Lots of parties have heard about divorces where it’s acrimonious and there’s a lot of anger, and the proceedings end up being long and end up costing a lot of money. A prenuptial agreement can be a great tool because parties before entering into marriage are able to sit down with each other, talk about various scenarios, and consider what might happen if the marriage doesn’t ultimately work, and so it is a cost savings medium.
A prenuptial agreement is very useful, very effective. Lots of folks still think prenuptial agreements aren’t romantic and they’re kind of adverse to the idea of doing a prenuptial agreement. But at the end of the day, it really can save folks lots of money. It could keep people out of court. And if the marriage doesn’t work, it could be a much better process if parties at least consider the idea of having a prenuptial agreement.
By: Kirk C. Stange
Lots of parties have heard about divorces where it’s acrimonious and there’s a lot of anger, and the proceedings end up being long and end up costing a lot of money. A prenuptial agreement can be a great tool because parties before entering into marriage are able to sit down with each other, talk about various scenarios, and consider what might happen if the marriage doesn’t ultimately work, and so it is a cost savings medium.
A prenuptial agreement is very useful, very effective. Lots of folks still think prenuptial agreements aren’t romantic and they’re kind of adverse to the idea of doing a prenuptial agreement. But at the end of the day, it really can save folks lots of money. It could keep people out of court. And if the marriage doesn’t work, it could be a much better process if parties at least consider the idea of having a prenuptial agreement.
By: Kirk C. Stange
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