The dissolution of a marriage is a difficult time often filled with strong emotions. When dealing with the particulars of divorce, many couples in Utah are increasingly choosing collaborative law, a process that determines a settlement without the need for litigation, as discussed in a previous blog post. For it to work, both parties must be able to keep their feelings from getting the best of them. I know as a divorce attorney that whenever the couple is able to resolve differences without court intervention, the divorce process goes more smooth.
Finding healthy coping mechanisms is important to preventing negative emotions from playing too significant a role in divorce proceedings, according to MentalHelp.net. So, it is beneficial for individuals to find healthy ways to support themselves during a divorce by keeping a journal, taking up new hobbies, exploring relaxation techniques and similar activities. Another essential step to help cope is to gain control over other stressors through prioritizing and organizing tasks.
DEALING WITH EMOTIONS DURING DIVORCE
According to Psych Central, it is important to avoid acting on intense emotions as much as possible during divorce proceedings. Doing so might lead to destructive consequences and disrupt the process. Instead, a person may take a moment away to overcome the emotion before going back to tackle a particular item. One way to do this is to learn to recognize certain emotions and associated behavior patterns as they arise. This provides a certain amount of control over them so that they are no longer the driving force of the actions.
It might take time to achieve this level of control. Finding a safe place to explore feelings and emotions, such as therapy or conversations with a trusted loved one or counselor, provides space to explore feelings and learn to control the conduct.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CUSTODIAL PARENT RECEIVES STATE ASSISTANCE?
If you are required to pay child support, a number of circumstances may arise which make you unsure of what to do next. For example, if your income changes significantly, you may have questions concerning the modification of your child support order. Or, if you are a non-custodial parent in Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Jordan or anywhere in Utah and your child’s other parent recently started to receive assistance from the State of Utah, you may be wondering how this could affect your child support obligations.
According to the Office of Recovery Services, families who receive public assistance are also given child support services from the state. As a result, if you owe child support to a family receiving assistance, you are required to make payments to the state. If you fail to make the necessary payments to the state of Utah, the amount you owe will accumulate and be considered a debt which must be repaid.
If you are unsure of whether or not your child’s custodial parent receives assistance from the state, it is pivotal to find out immediately and make sure you receive credit for child support payments, since payments must be made to the state instead of the parent (if the parent receives public assistance). If you made payments to the parent, you could be credited by sending evidence to the ORS, such as a receipt or canceled check.
Free Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer
If you have a question about divorce law or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will help you.
8833 S. Redwood Road, Suite C
West Jordan, Utah
84088 United States
Telephone: (801) 676-5506