Overland Park Family Law Blog

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar requests shared child custody in divorce

On behalf of Law Firm of Kevin Stuart Cavanaugh posted in child custody on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.

Kansas residents who follow U.S. political news are likely familiar with freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, whose name often appears in the headlines. Omar's political views and activities have sparked controversy on more than one occasion; in fact, there have been death threats made against her. Omar is currently making headlines for a more personal reason, as she has filed for divorce from her husband and is requesting shared child custody.

Omar and her husband have three children together. She has been accused of having an affair with one of her political aides and campaign strategists. Omar has stated that her marriage is irretrievably broken and that she believes it is best if she and her ex share equal responsibility for physical and legal custody of their children.

High asset divorce: A prenuptial agreement is a valuable tool

On behalf of Law Firm of Kevin Stuart Cavanaugh posted in high asset divorce on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.

You have met the love of your life and can't wait to get married. Perhaps you own a successful business in Kansas or simply want to protect your interests as best you can. Thinking of such issues does not mean you do not love or trust your soon-to-be spouse. Many people in your situation simply want to be as prepared as possible in case a high asset divorce ever takes place.

Some question whether it is beneficial to a relationship to think of divorce before getting married. Others, however, say that not being afraid to discuss such things and working together as a couple to sign an agreement can ultimately strengthen the bonds of the relationship. There is no way to predict the future but there are ways to control certain aspects of it.

Property division: Things can get messy if a spouse hides assets

On behalf of Law Firm of Kevin Stuart Cavanaugh posted in property division on Monday, September 9, 2019.

Spouses must play by the rules when they decide to divorce. Regarding property division, Kansas operates under equitable distribution laws. When the court considers a property ruling, it is assumed both spouses have been honest in disclosing their assets and liabilities.

In a perfect world, that would always be the case. In reality, however, many spouses try to hide assets to keep them from being considered during property division proceedings. Not only is this unfair toward the other spouse, it is also illegal. A concerned spouse will want to enlist the aid of someone who knows how to investigate such matters, preferably someone who also knows how to bring a hidden asset problem to the court's attention.

Avoid back-to-school child custody problems

On behalf of Law Firm of Kevin Stuart Cavanaugh posted in child custody on Saturday, August 24, 2019.

A Kansas parent who is used to a certain back-to-school routine may encounter some challenges if the start of a new school year follows a major, life-changing event such as divorce. Child custody problems may surface, especially if the ex in question is trying to interfere with parent/child relationships or disregards a court order. It is often possible to enjoy a peaceful co-parenting arrangement if both parents are willing to cooperate and keep kids' best interests in mind.

Back-to-school child custody issues can be complicated, such as deciding which parent will attend parent/teacher conferences or school events. If parents can be civil to each other in public, they might consider attending special events at the same time. Either way, it is best to inform teachers of divorce ahead of time and to let them know what the new co-parenting plan entails as far as school is concerned.

Kurt Rappaport accuses wife in high asset divorce

On behalf of Law Firm of Kevin Stuart Cavanaugh posted in high asset divorce on Monday, August 12, 2019.

Celebrity realtor Kurt Rappaport is currently entangled in a contentious court battle with former Guess model, Sarah Mutch. The pair are navigating a high asset divorce for which they apparently prepared for before marriage by signing a prenuptial agreement. The agreement states that Mutch is entitled to receive $45,000 per month in spousal support for an amount of time equal to half the duration of the couple's marriage. Kansas residents facing similar issues may want to follow this case.

In this particular situation, the claimed spousal support period equates to eight months. Mutch says she needs every penny because she sacrificed her successful modeling career to support her husband in his business endeavors and to help take care of his three children. Those who are close to Mutch say an argument over Rappaport's refusal to have children with her may have prompted her to file for divorce. Mutch has also accused Rappaport of emotional abuse.

How to tell if poor health issues are related to child custody

On behalf of Law Firm of Kevin Stuart Cavanaugh posted in child custody on Sunday, July 28, 2019.

Most kids in Kansas and beyond are adaptable. When issues arise that prompt life changes, children are typically able to roll with the punches despite any challenges that surface along the way. This is even true in cases of divorce, unless there is a contentious child custody problem that is causing them high levels of stress.

Regardless of age, children are not always able to articulate their feelings. When parents divorce, each child in the family may react differently. That is why it is critical for parents to pay close attention to every child, in case health issues arise that might be directly connected to child custody.

Where to seek support for child custody problems

On behalf of Law Firm of Kevin Stuart Cavanaugh posted in child custody on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

Divorce is typically a stressful experience, even for Kansas spouses who get along reasonably well. When children are involved, child custody disagreements can be difficult to resolve. Good parents want what's best for their children; however, divorcing spouses often disagree on the interpretation of that regarding one or numerous issues.

When parents decide to divorce, they are faced with numerous questions that will affect their children's lives. Where will the kids live? Who will have legal (decision-making) custody of them? Will one parent petition the court for child support? Will the kids be able to keep living in the home they resided in during their parents' marriage?

Depp's high asset divorce is over but his legal problems are not

On behalf of Law Firm of Kevin Stuart Cavanaugh posted in high asset divorce on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Many Kansas married couples will be heading to court before the year's end. Some will get locked into legal battles in high asset divorce cases, although most will likely not have tens of millions of dollars at stake like Johnny Depp and other Hollywood stars have had when they severed marital ties. In Depp's case, it seems the finalization of his divorce was merely the beginning of other legal problems.

A central component in Depp's divorce was a non-disclosure agreement he and then wife, Amber Heard, signed. In a recent claim Depp filed in court, he stated that Heard has violated that agreement. He is seeking $50 million in damages for defamation of his character.

Adapting to life after a high asset divorce

On behalf of Law Firm of Kevin Stuart Cavanaugh posted in high asset divorce on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

Regardless of what prompts a decision to legally sever marital ties, spouses often have numerous issues to resolve before they can go their separate ways. In a high asset divorce, especially for parents, child support and property division are often a central focus of Kansas courtroom proceedings. Beyond that, it can be difficult to adjust to a new lifestyle when one has become accustomed to his or her old one.

The longer a couple has been married, the more challenging moving on without each other might be. There are several practical ways to make the best of such situations. By tapping into local resources and building a strong support network, parents and children can successfully navigate the life changes often associated with divorce.

Former MTV star hopes to regain child custody

On behalf of Law Firm of Kevin Stuart Cavanaugh posted in child custody on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.

As many Kansas parents can likely attest, when litigation takes place because of child-related issues, things can get quite messy in court. Many situations are complex and not easily resolved. Former "Teen Mom 2" star, Jenelle Evans likely understands this better than most, as she continues to try to regain child custody alongside her current husband, who also lost custody of his own daughter.

While one of Evans' children has been staying with her mother for some time, her other two children were living with her and the man she married this past September. An incident occurred, however, that has apparently led to both Evans and her spouse losing custody of their children. Evans' husband, David Eason, reportedly shot a dog that he claimed had bitten one of the kids.