| (For your convenience, I have prepared this | | | | for violating the restraining order. Any type |
| list of "Post Divorce Do's and Don'ts". Some | | | | of communication is a violation of the |
| may be applicable to your case and many will | | | | restraining order including e-mails, letters, |
| not be applicable. Please take a few minutes | | | | faxes or voice mail messages. Do not rely on |
| to read this. If you have any questions about | | | | your ex-spouse's insistence that a |
| this article or need any legal help please | | | | restraining order has been dismissed. You |
| contact Rhode Island divorce and family law | | | | need to verify with the Clerk of the Family |
| lawyer David Slepkow at 401-437-1100) | | | | Court that the restraining order has been |
| | | | dismissed. Important Information |
| Do's | | | | |
| | | | If your circumstances change look into filing |
| Keep accurate records of child support, | | | | a motion to modify alimony immediatly. This |
| alimony, or other property settlement | | | | only applies if there is no property |
| payment(s). In the event that there is a | | | | settlemnt agreement that is incoporated into |
| dispute as to whether or not you have made | | | | the final judgement which makes the alimony |
| payments, accurate records are important for | | | | non modifiable. If there is no property |
| proof of payment. | | | | settlemt in your case and you have not waived |
| | | | alimony permanently then you can apply for an |
| If you have a property settlement agreement | | | | increase of alimony if you can show a |
| in your case, any changes to the property | | | | substantial change in circumstances such as a |
| settlement agreement must be in writing and | | | | loss of income, loss of a job or a |
| signed by both parties. | | | | disability. |
| | | | |
| In the event that you do not have a property | | | | If you are ordered to pay alimony and the |
| settlement agreement and there is only a | | | | alimony is modifiable or if there is no |
| final judgment in your case, changes can only | | | | property settlement which makes the alimony |
| be made by application to the court for a | | | | non modifiable then you can apply to decrease |
| modification of the final judgment based on a | | | | the alimony or teminate the alimony based on |
| substantial change of circumstances. | | | | a substanstial change of circumstances such |
| | | | as a disability or loss of a job |
| If visitation of your children is in dispute, | | | | |
| keep accurate records of your visitations | | | | A. Child Support |
| documenting dates, times, activities and/or | | | | |
| confrontations with your ex-spouse. | | | | Child support does not automatically |
| | | | terminate when your child reaches eighteen |
| Do not pay child support directly to your | | | | (18) years of age. Child support will |
| ex-spouse if your ex-spouse is on welfare! | | | | automatically accrue unless a Motion to |
| You must make the payment to the State of | | | | Terminate Child Support is filed. |
| Rhode Island. In the event that your | | | | |
| ex-spouse is on welfare and you make payments | | | | If you are the parent with physical placement |
| directly to her/him, then these payments will | | | | of your child/children and your income |
| be considered a gift and the State of Rhode | | | | significantly decreases or your ex-spouse's |
| Island will still pursue you for the child | | | | income significantly increases, then you |
| support payments, despite the fact that you | | | | should contact a lawyer to file a Motion to |
| have made the payments to your ex-spouse. | | | | increase your child support payments. |
| This will mean that you will have to make a | | | | |
| double payment of child support. | | | | If you are the parent without physical |
| | | | placement of your child and your income |
| Do not modify the property settlement | | | | decreases significantly or your ex-spouse's |
| agreement by an oral agreement. ALL changes | | | | income significantly increases, then you |
| to a property settlement agreement must be in | | | | should contact a lawyer to file a Motion to |
| writing, signed by both parties. | | | | lower your child support obligation. If you |
| | | | cannot pay your child support because of a |
| Do not make cash payments of alimony or child | | | | change in circumstances you need to file a |
| support without a signed receipt from your | | | | motion to modify child support immediately |
| ex-spouse. | | | | otherwise you can be subjected to a contempt |
| | | | proceeding for failure to pay child support. |
| If you make payments directly to your child | | | | |
| or buy anything for your child, these | | | | David Slepkow is a Rhode Island lawyer |
| payments will be considered gifts to your | | | | concentrating in divorce, family law, child |
| child and will not be a credit towards child | | | | support, custody and visitation. David has |
| support. Therefore, if you want these types | | | | been practicing for over 9 years and is |
| of payments to be considered child support, | | | | licensed in rhode Island , Massachusetts and |
| they must be given directly to your spouse as | | | | Federal Court. David is a partner at Slepkow |
| child support. | | | | Slepkow and Associates inc. The firm has been |
| | | | in existence for 75 years. You can contact |
| If there is a restraining order in your case, | | | | David Slepkow by going to and using the |
| do not contact your ex-spouse without the | | | | convenient contact form or calling him. There |
| restraining order being dismissed. Even if | | | | is also more helpful information concerning |
| your ex-spouse initiates the communication or | | | | Rhode Island divorce and family law on the |
| invites you over, you could still be arrested | | | | website. |