Episodes

Cordell & Cordell Litigation Partner Kristin Zurek joins CEO/Managing Partner Scott Trout for a conversation about how fathers can be the best dads possible in the wake of divorce. Although fathers are typically allotted less time with their children after divorce than they previously enjoyed, their importance is actually magnified, as kids need support and encouragement as they make their way through this life transition. They discuss why it is important for dads to be accessible and available...

Cordell & Cordell family law attorneys Rachel Schmidt and Dylan Briggs join CEO/Managing Partner Scott Trout to discuss the various factors to consider when modifying alimony or spousal maintenance. They discuss how alimony and maintenance is calculated (1:30); whether income can be imputed when determining alimony (3:10); the factors to consider when modifying alimony (6:50); what constitutes a “substantial change in circumstances” when modifying alimony (11:16); how child custody factors into ...

Cordell & Cordell divorce attorneys Rachel Schmidt and Dylan Briggs join CEO/Managing Partner Scott Trout to review the ins and outs of contempt and the various ways it can factor into divorce. They discuss how states define contempt (1:15); the legal standard for contempt (2:40); whether contempt be intentional (3:28); will contempt go on a person’s criminal record (5:35); penalties for contempt (6:52); will contempt affect child custody (10:35); consequences of failing to follow temporary orde...

This month, Cordell & Cordell CEO/Managing Partner Scott Trout and Litigation Partner Kristin Zurek discuss one of the more troubling aspects of family law: abuse and neglect issues in child custody. They discuss the role abuse and neglect play in family law from a broad perspective (0:45); how abuse is usually brought up in initial consultations (1:30); whether abuse can affect property division (2:10); how attorneys respond when their clients are accused of abuse (2:45); the different types o...

Cordell & Cordell Managing Partner/CEO Scott Trout is joined by Cordell & Cordell attorneys Tammy Repaso and William Halaz to discuss the ins and outs of mediation and how it can be beneficial to your case. They describe how formal or informal mediation can be an avenue to a settlement or an avenue to information (0:52); how mediation is not a replacement for representation (2:43); the advantages of informal mediation (6:20); the importance of preparation before mediation (7:00); understanding ...

Cordell & Cordell Managing Partner/CEO Scott Trout is joined by licensed professional counselor Erika Ottolini. They detail the various emotions and struggles men can experience during the divorce process and how that factors in from both a legal and mental health perspective. They cover the emotional dangers men must navigate during divorce and the importance of using logic over emotion when making decisions (1:00); the consequences of failing to seek support for mental health issues and the s...

Cordell & Cordell Managing Partner/CEO Scott Trout answers some common questions fathers often have about trying to obtain custody. Mr. Trout discusses whether dads have an uphill battle when fighting for custody (0:28); defines the different types of custody (2:18); explains what factors a court considers when determining custody (4:23); reviews what role outside witnesses can play in a custody case (10:33); goes over overlooked issues that can complicate a custody case (18:30); and gives tips...

Cordell & Cordell Managing Partner/CEO Scott Trout is joined by Christina Strait, broker/owner of Strait Realty, and Tom Mueller, Vice President of Mortgage Lending for Central Bank of St. Louis, for a discussion concerning the various issues homeowners and sellers encounter when they go through divorce. The marital home is typically one of the most valuable assets a couple owns and divorce can create a host of complications. Ms. Strait and Mr. Mueller explain the ramifications of selling the h...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we discuss the various factors that influence a couple’s decision to divorce and what to look for before and during the experience. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Divorce Factors appeared first on Cordell & Cordell. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Divorce Factors first appeared on Cordell & Cordell.

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we discuss current societal and cultural trends relating to divorce, including the rise of gray divorce, how marriage and divorce rates have fluctuated through history, why the divorce rate is higher for veterans, and why seemingly happy couples are deciding to divorce. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Div...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we discuss how you can help your kids cope with divorce, including why divorce is so difficult on kids, why teachers need to know that the divorce is happening, how to be a great dad after divorce, and more. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Helping Kids Through Divorce appeared first on Cordell & Cordell. ...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we discuss tips and tricks that can lead to significant savings on the total cost of your divorce. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Saving Money On Your Divorce appeared first on Cordell & Cordell. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Saving Money On Your Divorce first appeared on Cordell & Cordell.

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we will discuss the methods for successful co-parenting to help reduce the negative impacts of divorce on children. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Co-Parenting Tips appeared first on Cordell & Cordell. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Co-Parenting Tips first appeared on Cordell & Cordell.

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we will discuss the challenges that arise in terms of coping with the emotional aspects of divorce, as well as offer some tips for managing post-divorce stress. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Coping And Recovery appeared first on Cordell & Cordell. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Coping And Recovery fir...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we will discuss the recent developments in studies regarding fatherhood, as well as how fathers are portrayed in popular culture, how to prove to the courts that you’re a great father, being a great dad after divorce and more. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: The Evolving Role Of Fathers appeared first on ...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. In this special edition of the Men’s Divorce Podcast, we spoke with Cordell & Cordell Co-Founder and Principal Partner Joe Cordell about the impressive growth of his firm over the past 25 years and why the mission to protect the rights of men and fathers is so important to this day. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: An...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we will discuss how alimony works, including a basic overview, the factors courts use to determine alimony, how you can modify or terminate alimony, the efforts of some states to reform their dated alimony laws and more. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Alimony appeared first on Cordell & Cordell. The pos...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we will discuss how parental alienation affects children, the warning signs of alienation and how alienated parents can fight back in court, as well as speak with experts and victims of this unfortunate condition. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Parental Alienation appeared first on Cordell & Cordell. Th...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, several Cordell & Cordell attorneys offer up some tips on how to survive your day in court, including an overview of what to expect, how you should dress when attending your hearings, the different types of hearings you may encounter, why you should really stress showing up on time, general courtroom etiqu...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we will be focusing on the problems that can arise for fathers, including the importance of formally establishing paternity, one man’s struggle to stop his daughter’s adoption, how paternity fraud has become a widespread issue across the country and more. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Problems With Pate...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we will be focusing on the additional challenges that arise with filing taxes after divorce, including how to determine your filing status, how to obtain copies of your prior returns, who gets to claim children on tax returns, understanding Qualified Domestic Relations Orders and more. The post Men’s Divo...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we will be focusing on issues that arise with parenting during the holidays, including agreeing upon a visitation schedule, keeping a positive attitude in front of your children, how to deal with parenting-time disputes, coping with loneliness and more. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Holiday Parenting ap...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we will be focusing on how allegations of domestic violence impact divorce proceedings, including how to react if you have a restraining order filed against you, what to do if you fear your spouse will file false allegations and discuss how men can also be victims of abuse. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast:...

Each month, the Cordell & Cordell Men’s Divorce Podcast features interviews with authors, politicians and other divorce professionals on issues men face during the divorce process. This month, we discuss how the child support system works, including how support is calculated and when you need to petition for modification, as well as how the label of “deadbeat dad” is oftentimes misleading — particularly for low-income fathers. The post Men’s Divorce Podcast: Child Support And The Myth Of The De...