The Law Office of Daniel S. Rork

EXTENSIVE INFORMATION ABOUT FAMILY LAW CASES AND THE MATTERS WE HANDLE EVERY DAY Adoptions There are many different options available for families looking to adopt. Whether you are searching for a private adoption or you are seeking a stepparent adoption, you can turn to our firm. We can work to ensure that your adoption process is completed in a timely and professional manner....Continue reading

WHAT IS A GUARDIAN AD LITEM AND WHY DO I HAVE ONE? What is a Guardian ad Litem? A Guardian ad Litem is a licensed attorney appointed by the court to protect the interests of a minor child or children in a custody case. State law and local court rules govern the appointment of this attorney. A Guardian ad Litem is required to take additional classes and training regarding issues surrounding abuse and neglect of children. They may or may not have more specialized training than...Continue reading

WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THOSE BILLS MY EX WON'T REIMBURSE ME So you have an order that provides each of you are to pay half of uncovered medical bills, co-pays, extracurricular activities, school supplies, college expenses, etc. but your former spouse doesn't pay. What do you do? Here are some basic tips to get you started. 1. Ask for payment early. Oftentimes I have clients that have stacks of bills piling up over many months before they ever request reimbursement from their for...mer spouse. The short of it is, you can't do that. You need to ask for reimbursement early, as soon as the expense was incurred. 2. Provide receipts: You have to provide receipts for expenses that you want to be reimbursed for. 3. Provide proof of payment: You have to show that you already paid the full expense of the bill or that you paid your half or are making arrangements to make payments on your half. 4. Request reimbursement repeatedly: Judges like to see repeated requests for reimbursement in writing. This means including the bills, receipts, and proof of payment multiple times. 5. Talk to your former spouse. Even though you send written requests for reimbursement by email you also need to phone your spouse and request reimbursement verbally. If you have taken all of these steps then you have built a successful case for enforcement or contempt. At this point call my office at 660-263-9000. I can help.

EXTENSIVE INFORMATION ABOUT FAMILY LAW CASES AND THE MATTERS WE HANDLE EVERY DAY Adoptions There are many different options available for families looking to adopt. Whether you are searching for a private adoption or you are seeking a stepparent adoption, you can turn to our firm. We can work to ensure that your adoption process is completed in a timely and professional manner....Continue reading

WHAT IS A GUARDIAN AD LITEM AND WHY DO I HAVE ONE? What is a Guardian ad Litem? A Guardian ad Litem is a licensed attorney appointed by the court to protect the interests of a minor child or children in a custody case. State law and local court rules govern the appointment of this attorney. A Guardian ad Litem is required to take additional classes and training regarding issues surrounding abuse and neglect of children. They may or may not have more specialized training than...Continue reading

WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THOSE BILLS MY EX WON'T REIMBURSE ME So you have an order that provides each of you are to pay half of uncovered medical bills, co-pays, extracurricular activities, school supplies, college expenses, etc. but your former spouse doesn't pay. What do you do? Here are some basic tips to get you started. 1. Ask for payment early. Oftentimes I have clients that have stacks of bills piling up over many months before they ever request reimbursement from their for...mer spouse. The short of it is, you can't do that. You need to ask for reimbursement early, as soon as the expense was incurred. 2. Provide receipts: You have to provide receipts for expenses that you want to be reimbursed for. 3. Provide proof of payment: You have to show that you already paid the full expense of the bill or that you paid your half or are making arrangements to make payments on your half. 4. Request reimbursement repeatedly: Judges like to see repeated requests for reimbursement in writing. This means including the bills, receipts, and proof of payment multiple times. 5. Talk to your former spouse. Even though you send written requests for reimbursement by email you also need to phone your spouse and request reimbursement verbally. If you have taken all of these steps then you have built a successful case for enforcement or contempt. At this point call my office at 660-263-9000. I can help.

ADVOCATE FOR FATHERS' RIGHTS If you are a father who is seeking custody in a divorce, or who is facing a custody, visitation or child support dispute, or you are seeking to gain visitation or custody rights in a paternity case, you need legal representation to protect your parental rights. It is critical that your child's best interests are protected, and that you have the ability to establish and maintain the best possible relationship with your child. When it comes to fath...ers' rights, you want to work with a law firm that will fight for your parental rights and for your child. At The Law Office of Dan Rork we understand what you are going through. With over 20 years of experience assisting fathers in Missouri, I will work diligently for you in any child custody, visitation or support dispute, and will tirelessly pursue the best possible outcome for you. In cases of fathers' rights, every case is unique. No matter what your situation is, you will need highly skilled and aggressive representation. I understand family law and work as an advocate for fathers that are in a position in which their parental rights must be established or protected. I will assess your case and advise you about what legal action we could take to get your legal matter resolved. Every case is different, and there are a range of issues that arise, including cases of a mother failing to provide the children at the time and place as ordered by the court for visitation, a mother who is involved in some activity that endangers the children, cases of neglect, and cases in which a father has not been legally acknowledged and DNA testing is necessary to gain parental rights. Your child's best interest is my goal, and I am personally committed to those I represent in fathers' rights cases. If your access to your child or children have been threatened in any way, or if your children are currently at risk due to neglect or other situations, it is time to take action. Contact my firm at 660-263-9000 and schedule an appointment today.

IF YOU DRINK, DON'T HUNT Tomorrow is opening day to hunt deer in Missouri using a rifle. Deer hunting is a time honored tradition, and often a great bonding experience among hunters. For many outdoorsmen, deer season is the highlight of the year. Nothing is better than sitting in "deer camp" enjoying the camaraderie of great friends anticipating a successful hunt. Quite often, however, the deer hunting experience involves the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol. S...erious hunters usually don't over indulge, but recreational hunters are sometimes there as much for the party as they are for the hunt. To each his own. But please remember, rifles and alcohol don't mix. If you are impaired and in possession of a firearm, you will be arrested, and you will go to jail. The Law Office of Dan Rork wishes you all a safe and successful hunting season. But please don't drink and hunt. Being in the woods with a loaded rifle is not the time to be drinking! Risking your safety or the safety of others, or facing jail time for impaired hunting is a serious matter that can alter your life forever. Have a great hunt, and BE SAFE!

MOVING ON AFTER DIVORCE Marriage is not something that people typically enter into on a whim. Similarly, the decision to pursue a divorce is not one that should be made lightly, especially for couples with children and those with high-value assets. Going through a divorce can be very difficult. People may not realize the emotional toll a divorce can have.... While going through a divorce can be challenging, there are things that people can do to make the divorce process a little easier. For instance, one of the worst things a parent can do is put his or her children in the middle and make them choose sides. Bad mouthing a former spouse should be avoided. After all, despite people's feelings about their former spouse, they must acknowledge that they will always be one of their children's parents. Rather than turning to a child for emotional support, people in Missouri and beyond would be wise to seek help through a support group or mental health professional. Even talking to a close friend can be helpful. People should also be cautious about dating too soon. Learning to live without your former partner can be difficult. However, because it is often such an emotional time, people would be better served waiting before they jump into a new relationship. Couples may spend years trying to repair their marriage. While it is important to try to save a marriage, parting ways may be best in the end. Although one spouse may have a harder time accepting that, each person must learn to move forward with his or her life. Our firm helps couples settle a variety of issues related to divorce. If I can be of assistance to you, please call The Law Office of Dan Rork at 660.263.9000 or 660.676.4886.

WHAT TO TELL THE CHILDREN ABOUT DIVORCE It is often easy to get stuck in your own feelings about the divorce and what you are going through. What follows is a checklist of what your children want to know about the divorce: What happens next... Where each parent will live Where they will live and what will happen to their "stuff" Whether they will be able to see each parent and for how much time Whether each of you will continue to love them Whether it is okay for them to love each of you Who will care for them, including daycare provider Will they have to change schools Will they still be able to see their friends Can they continue with their activities Will they still be able to see grandparents or favorite aunt, uncle, etc. Some of these questions you can easily answer and some you cannot. Start with what you do know and provide as much reassurance as possible about what you know. If you don't know where each parent will live or how much time the children will spend with each of you it is okay to speak in general terms"We will stay in the same town," or "You will get to see your Dad." Stay away from talking about the reasons for divorce or providing specific details about court appearances or settlement meetings. What your children really need to know is limited to the above checklist. If you still aren't sure, talk to your attorney about what is appropriate or not appropriate to discuss with your children as it relates to your divorce. Let us guide you through this difficult process. Call The Law Office of Dan Rork at 660-263-9000 or 660-676-4886. We can help.

COULD YOU KILL SOMEONE TONIGHT AND LIVE WITH IT? Given that a DUI/DWI arrest and conviction can have adverse job-related consequences in Missouri and throughout the country, a commentator weighed in recently with a cautionary article on what some of the potential repercussions can be. That writer made a number of informative and important points, which included this central recommendation: If you are arrested for a DUI, contact a criminal defense attorney right away.... That is unquestionably sound advice, both for a first-time offender and, especially, any Missouri motorist who has been arrested and is facing criminal charges for a second or subsequent drunk driving offense. People often think about a select few consequences that can potentially attach following a drunk driving conviction. Those centrally include all the headaches typically associated with a DUI/DWI arrest, such as the initial police interaction, BAC and field sobriety testing, a trip to the police station, and an often humiliating contact with family members, friends and employers. A drunk driving conviction can yield unpleasant consequences far beyond that, however. License suspension can result, as can substantial fines and increased insurance costs. Adverse public publicity can be embarrassing. For some people, jail time is imposed. And, as the writer cited above notes, the consequences go way beyond possible jail time, with a DUI conviction potentially having a devastating impact on your job. To wit: Some companies have a mandatory firing policy regarding conviction on any criminal charge. The time lost in some instances for court hearings, treatment programs and other DUI-related matters can be a negative at the workplace. A suspended license might interfere with an employee’s regular and timely attendance at work, or even preclude him or her from using company vehicles as required. Future job applications might be marred by DUI-related information. The list of negative possibilities goes on. Collectively, it underscores the need cited at the outset of this post for any person arrested on a drunk driving charge to secure representation from a proven DUI/DWI attorney. Please do not go out tonight for an evening of drinking without a solid contingency plan in place. Designate a sober driver... Call a taxi... Anything that doesn't put you behind the wheel as an impaired driver!! But if your evening should end behind bars, call me at 660-263-9000 or 660-676-4886. We can help.

HOLIDAYS MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR THOSE WHO ARE NEWLY DIVORCED When people think about the holidays, they usually imagine a joyful time with family and friends. However, the holidays can also be a challenging time for some, especially those who are newly divorced. People who are entering the holiday season as a single person for the first time in a long time may have to deal with a multitude of emotions. The sights and sounds of the holidays may trigger feelings of sadness, lonel...iness, anger and even anxiety. People should know that those kinds of feelings are normal. In order to get through the holidays, people should create plans and know ahead of time that this year will be different from years past. It's also important to be surrounded by supportive family and friends. "You want friends who are going to build you up, who are going to listen to you and nurture you and take you to places that are good, safe places," a marriage and family counselor recommends. People should make a list of the usual holiday parties they go to and decide which gatherings to attend. In addition, they should decide what traditions to keep and what new ones to create. No matter what time of year it is, going through a divorce can be difficult. When people get married they usually don't expect that their marriage will end in divorce. Although it may present challenges along the way, getting a divorce may be the best option for some couples. If I can help guide you through this difficult time, please call The Law Office of Daniel S. Rork at (660) 263-9000 or (660) 676-4886.

Call me at 660/676-4886 or stop by 630 N. Morley in Moberly if I can assist your legal needs.

CHILDREN OF DIVORCE OFTEN STRUGGLE People usually don't get married under the assumption that they will later divorce. However, divorce may be the best option for some. Going through a divorce can be challenging, but when people have children, those challenges may only become more significant. Settling child custody matters is often one of the most emotional aspects of a divorce. Parents simply want what is best for their children. However, they may disagree on just what that... is. A recent news article shows the kind of impact that a divorce can have on children. A young boy was interviewed by his mother. She and the boy's father divorced three years ago. The 12-year-old splits time equally between his parents. Although he appears to be adjusting to this new life, he admits that his parents' divorce created a stressful environment and that it may have even affected his performance in school. "I'm not trying to say, 'Oh, it's all your guys' fault,' " the 12-year-old said. "But I definitely think that was a lot of the influence." A story like this should serve as a reminder to parents that as they are going through a divorce, the best interests of the children need to be a top priority. Child custody and child support are just some of the issues that divorcing parents must sort through. Because going through a divorce can be emotional, people would be wise to rely on an experienced divorce attorney. An attorney may be able to help couples find resolutions that are fair for everyone . If you are considering a divorce, we can help. Call The Law Office of Dan Rork at 660-263-9000 today.

WHAT IS A STEP DOWN CHILD SUPPORT ORDER? A step down child support order is an order that applies to child support being paid for multiple children. The order specifically states that as the oldest child becomes emancipated the child support amount automatically decreases. If you don't have a step down order then you have a lump sum order. A lump sum order means that regardless of an older child emancipating your monthly child support amount stays the same. Why is this impor...tant? If you don't have a step down order then to decrease the child support amount because of an older child's emancipation you have to go back to court. That costs time and money. If you are in the process of a divorce or child support modification ask your attorney for a step down child support order. This will keep you out of court in the future and you will feel like the child support amount you are paying is fair as each child is emancipated. If my office can help address your legal needs, please call us today at 660-263-9000. Categories: Divorce, Child Support Share on google_plusone_share Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on stumbleupon Share on tumblr Share on reddit Share on pinterest_share Share on delicious Share on digg Share on linkedin Share on email More Sharing Services Permalink

WHAT TO TELL THE CHILDREN ABOUT MOM AND DAD'S DIVORCE It is often easy to get stuck in your own feelings about the divorce and what you are going through. What follows is a checklist of what your children want to know about the divorce: What happens next... Where each parent will live Where they will live and what will happen to their "stuff" Whether they will be able to see each parent and for how much time Whether each of you will continue to love them Whether it is okay for them to love each of you Who will care for them, including daycare provider Will they have to change schools Will they still be able to see their friends Can they continue with their activities Will they still be able to see grandparents or favorite aunt, uncle Some of these questions you can easily answer and some you cannot. Start with what you do know and provide as much reassurance as possible about what you know. If you don't know where each parent will live or how much time the children will spend with each of you it is okay to speak in general terms"We will stay in the same town," or "You will get to see your Dad." Stay away from talking about the reasons for divorce or providing specific details about court appearances or settlement meetings. What your children really need to know is limited to the above checklist. If you still aren't sure, talk to your attorney about what is appropriate or not appropriate to discuss with your children as it relates to your divorce. If I can answer questions you have about as you contemplate dissolving your marriage, call me at 660/263-9000. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

IF YOU DRINK, DON'T HUNT Tomorrow is opening day to hunt deer in Missouri using a rifle. Deer hunting is a time honored tradition, and often a great bonding experience among hunters. For many outdoorsmen, deer season is the highlight of the year. Nothing is better than sitting in "deer camp" enjoying the camaraderie of great friends anticipating a successful hunt. Quite often, however, the deer hunting experience involves the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol. S...erious hunters usually don't over indulge, but recreational hunters are sometimes there as much for the party as they are for the hunt. To each his own. But please remember, rifles and alcohol don't mix. If you are impaired and in possession of a firearm, you will be arrested, and you will go to jail. The Law Office of Dan Rork wishes you all a safe and successful hunting season. But please don't drink and hunt. Being in the woods with a loaded rifle is not the time to be drinking! Risking your safety or the safety of others, or facing jail time for impaired hunting is a serious matter that can alter your life forever. Have a great hunt, and BE SAFE!

SHOULD COUPLES WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAYS TO FILE FOR The decision to pursue a divorce is not an easy one to make, especially for couples with valuable assets, real estate or a family business. It may also be difficult to determine when to file for divorce. Specifically, should couples wait until after the holidays to pursue a divorce? Parents with young children may decide to wait until after the holidays to file for divorce. They may worry that filing before the holidays... will ruin this special time of year for their children. If they choose to wait until after the holidays, though, they should be sure there isn't obvious tension between them. After all, children are keenly perceptive. Another reason parents may decide to hold off on a divorce filing is if they are concerned about sharing their children at the holidays or if there is a family trip planned. On the other hand, some people simply cannot wait until the holidays are over to file for divorce. For some, it may be impossible to spend another holiday with their spouse and their spouse's family. When that is the case, it would seem that divorce is their only option. The decision to file for divorce is one that needs to be made on an individual basis. There are many things to consider and when to file is just one of them. However, when people do decide to file for divorce, working with an experienced attorney is essential. Call The Law Office of Daniel S. Rork at 660/263-9000 and let me work for you.

WHY COLLEGE KIDS NEED TO KEEP THEIR PARENTS INFORMED Missouri law surrounding payment of child support and college expenses for children between the ages of 18-21 is confusing. In order for a child to continue receiving child support or payment of college expenses by a parent that child must provide the paying parent with a class schedule showing full-time enrollment of at least twelve hours per semester and at the end of each semester the child must provide the paying parent... with a transcript showing the grades received for the prior semester and the classes enrolled in for the upcoming semester. A college aged child can take as few as nine hours per semester if they can prove that they are also working at least fifteen hours per week. The failure to provide this information can result in the child being considered emancipated for purposes of paying child support and contributing to college expenses. So often the common thread of these types of cases revolves around the deteriorating or nonexistent relationship between the college age child and the parent expected to pay child support and contribute to college expenses. If you are the custodial parent or the college aged child wanting your parents to help you through college you must understand that not only do you have an obligation to provide this information in a timely manner but you also need to do everything possible to keep the paying parent informed of what's going on in your life. You have to provide this information and you must do it as soon as you have the information in hand. No parent wants to be viewed as merely a bank or lending institution and communication is the key to keeping these types of cases out of the court system. If I can help you with a child support matter, call me at 660/263-9000.