Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Divorce Doesn’t Have to Be Ugly
If you know anyone who’s been through a difficult divorce, you know that things can get pretty ugly. But that doesn’t have to be the case, and you can do a lot to ensure that your own divorce can actually be guided by compassion rather than bitterness. Some call it “conscious uncoupling” and it… Read More »
How to Deal with a Co-Parenting Gopher
If your divorce has led to parenting struggles, you’re not alone. Plenty of couples have trouble navigating the new realities of parenting from two separate homes. Sure, both parents love their kids. But pain, ego, inexperience, and new challenges all factor into the success of the endeavor that used to be pretty simple. Having… Read More »
Women’s Emerging Attitudes on Prenups
It wasn’t long ago that the topic of a prenup threw cold water on a relationship pretty quickly. After all, how much more unromantic can a discussion get than when it contemplates the possibility of divorce before you’re even married? But these days things are changing, and couples are more than willing to have… Read More »
Divorce in 2026: Can You Count on No-Fault?
If you’re hoping to get a no-fault divorce in 2026, it’s a good thing that you live in Missouri. So far, no-fault divorce is still on the books here and elsewhere, but changes are coming in states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, who have discussed or actually introduced legislation to eliminate, or at least… Read More »
Don’t Make These 5 Divorce Mistakes
Divorce is exasperating enough without complicating the matter by making serious mistakes! All too often, those seeking to terminate their marriages mistakenly believe that they can play fast and loose with the rules, and that can cost them time and money down the road. Mistake # 1 Dragging the kids through the muck: Sure,… Read More »
Child Custody Evaluations
If you have been ordered to participate in a child custody evaluation, you are no doubt worried about how an evaluator will react to you. The stakes are high; understanding the process and doing your best to prepare will ease your mind and help you to make the best impression possible. Why has an… Read More »
Adult Children Dealing with Their Parents’ Divorce
Older couples who choose to divorce generally feel entitled to do so without consulting with their children about it. After all, they held the marriage together for many years. Now the kids are adults with lives of their own. How much could their parents’ divorce possibly impact them at this point? Gray Divorce Gray… Read More »
Gambling and Divorce
Financial distress can be a huge problem for a marriage. That can be compounded if the money problems are the direct result of a gambling addiction. Unfortunately, the addiction can result in family and financial obligations being ignored. Both partners can be swept up in deception, mistrust, and resentment, which can eventually lead to… Read More »
Is Split Custody Worth Your Consideration?
When parents divorce, there are many factors that must be weighed in determining custody and visitation expectations. The courts lean toward shared custody agreements that allow for maximum time with each parent, but there are situations in which that’s just not practical. Many couples settle on one parent to hold primary custody, with extensive… Read More »
Holiday Domestic Violence
While for many, the holidays are a symbol of love, peace, and empathy, victims of domestic violence know that holiday cheer is not theirs for the taking. Woefully, domestic violence (DV) incidents spike during the season, filling the air with fear, anger, and pain in homes across America. Why is this time of year… Read More »
