I AM READY TO RENT AN APARTMENT

Once you have chosen your apartment and are ready to meet with the leasing representative at the community, the following information will be needed to expedite the approval process:

• Driver's license for U.S. citizens, passport for non-citizens.
• Financial information, such as checking and savings account information.
• Check, money order, or cashier's check for the deposit.
• Proof of income or ability to pay rent. If you're employed, bring a recent pay stub or tax return. If other financial assistance will be provided, you must show proof of income/ability to pay, such as a pay stub or tax return, and a passport or U.S. Social Security number.
• If you are receiving child and/or spousal support take a copy of your current support order with you.

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For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

PLANNING FOR DIVORCE

When you begin divorce proceedings, organization is crucial. The more prepared you are, the more likely the process will go more smoothly. Your preparation will also show your spouse (and his attorneys) that you mean business and can't be pushed around.

 

Here are some steps that can assist you:

**Not all illicit behavior ends up on the ten o'clock news. It's important you document any events that will strengthen your case.

**Gather all financial documents containing your name. Record the names of the financial institution, account numbers, and contact information. Include stocks, insurance policies, pensions, and retirement accounts. Be especially sure to locate life-insurance policies, as they may affect child support and alimony.

**Change any passwords that your husband has knowledge of or access to. Not only can this protect assets, it will prevent vindictive behavior on the part of your spouse -- such as theft.

**Hide your passport and your children's.

**Make a list of which items were gifts and which you bought with your own money before the marriage.

**With your digital camera, create a visual catalogue of all your physical possessions, including furniture, furnishings, art, collectibles, rugs, electronic and computer equipment, china, cars, and so on. Itemize everything on a spreadsheet as well. Organize the original receipts if you have them. Save the images on a flash drive that you can carry with you.


For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

DATING AFTER DIVORCE

Your divorce is final. Now, your friends are telling you that it’s time to start dating again. You want to attract Mr. or Mrs. Right.

You might wish to check the following Inventory List to ensure that you are doing what you have to do, to achieve your goal.

• You are emotionally stable. You have made peace with your history and are comfortable with who and what you are.
• You have no chemical addictions which could impede your clarify of thought and action.
• You have made a list of the ingredients of your perfect mate. Itemize those qualities that are a priority, and qualities that are of lesser importance.
• Evaluate the demands of your life. Consider how a new mate is going to fit into your life, and any considerations that are relevant.
• Evaluate your person and what you have to offer. Be confident but also be honest, with yourself. If you expect an extremely physically fit partner, you should probably anticipate that this person will expect you to be somewhat physically fit, as well.
• Let’s be honest; first impressions are important. If you are stuck in a beauty rut, it’s time to enter a new phase, and that might mean a change in your skin care regime, a new hair color, or some new clothes. Glowing skin and a smile can work wonders!
• Believe in yourself, and specifically, believe in the power of attraction. Feel confident that you will meet the person that is right for you.
• Anticipate and expect that Mr. or Mrs. Right should cherish you. You deserve it.
• Positive thoughts are important. However, you also have to take action. Make an effort to socialize and interact with a wider circle of persons. Enjoy a new hobby. Even if your new mate is not actually in your yoga class, he or she may be introduced to you via the new friend that you meet, stretching next to you.
• If you meet others whose goals are incompatible with your own, drop them from your list of potential partners. If you want to meet a stable mate for marriage, and you happen to meet someone who is fun-loving and into bar-hopping , you can be friends with them- but do NOT think that you can change them.
• Have fun with the process of dating until you meet your Mr. or Mrs. Right.

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

DON'T PRESS SEND

This is likely the most difficult period you have experienced in your life.  There will be times when your former spouse will offend you, be unkind and you will want to speak your mind.  Be sure to do so in an appropriate manner.  Refrain from sending mean spirited letters, text messages and emails to your soon to be ex.  This may make you feel great temporarily, but will become embarrassing evidence later on. Attorneys are great at saving messages, massaging them, packaging them, and then presenting the result in court many months later. Don't provide the other attorney with an opportunity to embarrass you.

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE FILING FOR DIVORCE

• Have you gone to marriage counseling?
• Have you and your spouse taken the time to talk and isolate the real problems of the marriage?
• Do you really listen to each other or just nag, complain and tune out?
• How well do you compromise and try to find time for enjoying quality time together?
• How productive or destructive are your methods of fighting?
• Do you kiss and make up without holding grudges?
• Are you teammates working toward the same goals?
• Are you both willing to work on your issues together?

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

DATING AFTER DIVORCE -- TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL ONLINE DATING

1. Guard Your Personal Information – Guarding your personal, sensitive information should be absolutely first and foremost on your agenda when it comes to online dating. Most internet dating sites are filled with "normal" people who are honestly looking for someone else – whether for casual dating or for a serious relationship that leads to marriage. However, there's another set of people you should be concerned with who are in it for all of the wrong reasons and who's intentions are anything but serious.

2. Create a Free Email Address – There are plenty of free email services to choose from so make an email address that's exclusively for use for your adventures in online dating, at least until you've met someone you know you can completely trust. You don't want messages from a jilted "e-date" to be clogging up your work inbox!

3. Choose a Reputable Service – There's certainly no shortage of websites and services devoted to bringing people together romantically, so before you can start looking at other people's profiles, you've got to choose a dating site that meets your needs. When you visit the various dating sites, be sure to thoroughly read their FAQ or Help pages before signing up for anything, and make certain you understand the membership fees, if any, as well as what their refund policies are.

4. Take Your Time – Time is of absolutely no concern in cyberspace. Don't get so excited about meeting a potential profile match that you rush out and put a down payment on a house for the two of you. Take plenty of time to get to know someone before getting serious, or before taking the next steps forward toward a physical relationship.

5. Ask for Photos – Besides the obvious aspect of whether or not you're physically attracted to someone, asking for a few photos also helps to gauge whether or not a person is being honest and seriously looking for a relationship of some sort – or if they're someone merely prowling the internet for reasons that are usually best left unsaid. You'll also want to make sure you're getting pictures that are relatively recent and that you're using recent ones in your own profile as well.

6. Using the Phone – After meeting someone online and chatting for a while, the next step is to exchange telephone numbers and see if the sparks are still flying through the phone's wires. Talking on the telephone is a great way to learn about a person so be sure to make phone "meetings" a part of your online dating agenda before taking the relationship any further.

7. Follow Your Gut Instincts – Most people have an inbred sense of instinct, but whether or not we actually listen to that inner voice and heed its wise warnings is a completely different story. If something just doesn't seem quite right to you, then chances are, it probably isn't. Don't make the mistake of second guessing yourself. Instead, learn to rely upon your natural instincts and listen when they're trying to tell you something.

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

I HAVE FOUND MY OWN PLACE -- NOW WHAT?

Once you have chosen your apartment and are ready to meet with the leasing representative at the community, the following information will be needed to expedite the approval process:

• Driver's license for U.S. citizens, passport for non-citizens.
• Financial information, such as checking and savings account information.
• Check, money order, or cashier's check for the deposit.
• Proof of income or ability to pay rent. If you're employed, bring a recent pay stub or tax return. If other financial assistance will be provided, you must show proof of income/ability to pay, such as a pay stub or tax return, and a passport or U.S. Social Security number.
• If you have a support order often times the landlord will want to see your order to substantiate the monthly support you be receiving.

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --