Rhode Island Family Law Blog

What will happen if my ex stops paying alimony?

On behalf of Rioles Law Offices posted in alimony on Friday, May 17, 2019.

As part of a divorce settlement, some Rhode Island spouses may be awarded alimony payments. These are often paid by the higher-earning spouse for a limited period of time. The spouse who is ordered to pay alimony may not be happy about the ruling, but they are legally obligated to do so unless their request for modification of alimony is accepted.

If your former spouse has stopped paying alimony, it is likely that you have lost a source of income upon which you depended greatly. While it is understandable that you're angry about this, the best thing you can do is to remain calm and depend on the law to ensure that justice is served.

Raising kids may cost more than you think

On behalf of Rioles Law Offices posted in child custody & support on Friday, May 3, 2019.

One of the largest areas of conflict in child support cases can be just how much it really costs to raise that child. What costs do parents need to cover? How much money really goes toward getting a child from the hospital to age 18? When parents do not agree on the costs, they may not agree on how much support each of them should provide.

The reality, though, is that many people vastly underestimate just what it costs to raise a child. One report put the total at more than $233,000.

What do Rhode Island courts consider during asset division?

On behalf of Rioles Law Offices posted in property division on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

In states where the legal theory of community property is recognized, all marital assets in a divorce are divided equally between spouses. However, Rhode Island does not recognize community property, and therefore, the asset division process is significantly more complex.

If you want to achieve a favorable result in the asset division process, you should ensure that you understand the factors Rhode Island courts take into consideration. By doing so, you will be able to highlight relevant issues to help you get the result that you deserve.

Rhode Island has one of U.S.' lowest divorce rates

On behalf of Rioles Law Offices on Monday, April 8, 2019.

It has been decades since divorce was rare or considered something to be ashamed of in Rhode Island. Almost everyone who has not gotten divorced themselves has at least one relative or close friend who has.

So it may surprise readers to know that Rhode Island has one of the lowest divorce rates in the United States. That is according to data provided by the 2017 American Community Survey. Specifically, for every 1,000 married Rhode Islanders, slightly more than 10 people got divorced that year.

Understanding interstate custody issues

On behalf of Rioles Law Offices posted in child custody & support on Friday, April 5, 2019.

Many parents who live in a different state from where their children reside worry that custody issues will become complicated. While implementing laws across states can have the potential to be extremely complex, this has been mitigated in child custody cases with the implementation of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJA).

The UCCJA is in place in all states with the exception of Massachusetts and Vermont. This means that in the majority of situations, the UCCJA will apply when navigating interstate custody issues.

Under what circumstances can I modify my alimony obligations?

On behalf of Rioles Law Offices posted in alimony on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.

If you have recently gone through a divorce, it is possible that one of your monthly expenses includes alimony payments to your former spouse. Alimony is ordered for the purpose of equalizing any financial inequities that exist when the divorce is finalized. The alimony payments may be ordered temporarily in order to help your spouse work toward financial independence in the future.

Whatever the reason for the alimony order, a change in circumstance could mean that you will be able to take action to lower the alimony obligations that you are paying. The following are the most common reasons for alimony modifications.

How is property divided in Rhode Island?

On behalf of Rioles Law Offices posted in property division on Friday, March 8, 2019.

If you are going through or contemplating a divorce here in Rhode Island, it is likely that property division will be one of the most important factors of the divorce. The way that property is divided can have a big impact on the quality of life that you are able to enjoy in the post-divorce future. This is why it is vital that you invest time in fighting for the property division outcome that you deserve.

By understanding the way that the law works in Rhode Island, you will be better equipped to know how to take action to get a result that is fair.

Why is alimony more complex to calculate than child support?

On behalf of Rioles Law Offices posted in property division on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

When going through a divorce, two important factors are the calculation of alimony and the calculation of child support. These can have a big impact on the standard of living for both spouses after the divorce has been finalized.

It is important to understand how both of these court-ordered payments are calculated. By understanding this, you will be more empowered to influence the decision-making processes in order to get the best possible decision for you.

The consequences of not paying Rhode Island child support

On behalf of Rioles Law Offices posted in child custody & support on Friday, February 8, 2019.

If you are a single parent in Rhode Island, it is likely that you are dependent to some extent on child support from the other parent. If the parent has fallen behind on their child support, you will probably start to worry about the future of your finances and question whether you will ever see another child support paycheck again.

It is a good idea to take the time to understand how the child support service in Rhode Island takes action to enforce unpaid child support. While they may not be able to physically force the parent to pay the child support immediately, they do what they can in order to make life harder for the parent until they fulfill their child support obligations. The following are some of the consequences of not paying child support in the state.

How to ensure you receive missed alimony payments

On behalf of Rioles Law Offices posted in alimony on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

If you have been awarded a series of alimony payments from your ex-spouse in the state of Rhode Island, it is likely that you will be heavily dependent on these payments so that you can maintain your lifestyle.

Making the transition to becoming financially independent after a divorce can be very challenging, especially if you contributed to your marriage in nonfinancial ways, such as through caring for the children. This is why it is important that you stand up for your right to receive alimony in Rhode Island.

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