The Nebraska Legislature has recently ended yet another session. There is a lot to be hopeful about as some progress has been made for families, women and overall gender equity. As always, however, not everything was a “win.”

Below is a summary of recent celebratory bills that passed, those that we can feel relief about not advancing and finally, those that we could consider setbacks in the advancement of overall equity.   

We consult with people every day who are uncertain about their financial futures because they are faced with the unknowns of a divorce or separation. There are some key things to think about when you are faced with dividing your financials.

Estate planning is much more than passing on your wealth to beneficiaries. It is the process of arranging and managing your assets, finances, and personal affairs to ensure your intentions are carried out during your lifetime and after your death. 

 At McGill Law, we have a fair number of clients who need our assistance to obtain a divorce, however they don’t qualify under Nebraska law. More often than not, this is because they don’t satisfy the jurisdiction requirement (i.e., they haven’t lived in Nebraska for one year.) Sometimes, however, they want to be separated and not divorced for religious reasons or they want to separate on a trial basis. Other times there are financial reasons for not divorcing such as remaining married to qualify for health insurance coverage or for inheritance purposes. For any one of these reasons or simply because someone is not ready to be divorced, a legal separation is a viable alternative.

Divorce occurs at all ages. There is a national rise, however, in “grey divorces.” A grey divorce is what is often referred to as a divorce between older adults later in life & typically from long lasting marriages. The age group is commonly referred as the “baby boomer generation.” Among other reasons, this age group is seeing a rise in divorces because there is no longer a stigma associated with divorce (as baby boomers’ parents espoused) and often these partners simply grew apart after raising their children – i.e., “empty nest syndrome.” Whatever the reason, there are special considerations for those who are in this age group and contemplating divorce.

In Nebraska, unmarried same sex couples are not afforded the same legal remedies for establishing parentage as opposite sex couples. This is inherently discriminatory for more than one reason, namely this poses sexual orientation & gender-based discrimination. It is past time to move to gender-neutral protection for all parents so that children can have the love and support that they deserve from both parents and all parents can have legally protected relationships with their children.   

Discernment, “the ability to understand inner qualities or relationships” Websters. Did you know there is a unique kind of marriage counseling that does just that? i.e. focuses on the ability to understand your marriage? I recently had the pleasure of meeting a discernment counselor, Liz Wollmann, LICSW of Resolve Mediation & Therapeutic Services, L.L.C., and she graciously agreed to spend some time educating me about this type of counseling.

I’ve worked with many divorcing or separating couples who haven’t considered what to do with their credit card bonus points or rewards. Such points or rewards can be immensely valuable especially when you consider that most consumers prefer to use credit nowadays as opposed to cash.

Maybe you haven’t started the process or maybe you have a will or trust that is a decade old. In either case, post-divorce is an important time to either get the ball rolling or update an antiquated document that may no longer make sense for you or your children.

At McGill Law, we work hard for you and believe in helping you navigate the end of your marriage in the most peaceful manner possible. We offer a few processes that involve no court involvement… an uncontested divorce is one.

It’s that time of year when most of us are thinking about and planning our summer get-aways with our children. If you are a separated or divorced parent, there is a lot more to think about than just your destination. It’s important to include key elements regarding vacations in the parenting plan you might be in the process of developing or modifying. Doing your due diligence now just might avoid a lot of stress and anxiety with your co-parent down the road.

Many clients want to know first and foremost what will happen to their home as a result of their divorce. This is an important question. Homes are valuable not only because of the financial investment but also because of the emotional ties. From a financial perspective, homes are oftentimes the most valuable asset involved in a divorce case. Therefore, it is worthwhile to consider your options and do your due diligence in deciding what makes the most sense for your family.

These days, I am reminded more than ever of this timeless quote. I think we are all searching for ways to bring hope, make a difference, or just lend a helping hand in this time of uncertainty.

The great leader and hero, Dr. MLK Jr., is deservedly honored on the third Monday of January every year. I have been thinking about his legacy and thus, reading about him and learning remarkable things that I never knew. History’s Sarah Pruitt and Christopher Klein report in their articles some very interesting facts. I’ll summarize a few herein

Recently, I attended the first module of my year-long collaborative leadership training. I was feeling quite a mixture of emotions: excitement, anxiety and fear. As we went around the room and shared our stories of what leadership meant to us, it became evident that I was surrounded by some pretty amazing individuals who, in my eyes, were already well-accomplished leaders. How in the world was I chosen to be there?

Perhaps the title of this article seems absurd or even like an oxymoron. Believe it or not, it is possible to cut costs in your case. In fact, you could save money just following some pretty basic, common sensical tips:

At McGill Law, we have your back from the beginning of your legal process to the end … and beyond! Many people feel lost, confused, and vulnerable about what lies ahead once their divorce is final. Consider some of the following tips to gain insight on life after your divorce:

At McGill Law, we are a dedicated team of professionals who are passionate about guiding our clients through the stress and turmoil that results from family conflict. Your team is here to help - whether it be through a collaborative approach of your divorce or modification or a more traditional litigation approach.