Case Study 2: Uncoupling family with heterosexual parents

The fictitious Miri blended family comprises a cohabitating (for 18 years) heterosexual couple, middle-income, dual-income with 2 high school aged children and a biological step-child, of the father who attends college (half of the expenses are paid by the father) and no longer lives at home. The family’s mortgage on their home is jointly held by both adults and they individually own their own cars.

The couple has decided to uncouple, separate permanently. You have been asked by your employer to analyze this situation for two different couples who live in the same metropolitan area of Kansas City (KC). Couple A lives in the Missouri part of KC. Couple B lives in the Kansas part of KC. Given the different legal considerations, common law marriage, in these two states, who between the mother and father is advantaged and disadvantaged? How are they advantaged or disadvantaged? How are the children affected? What about health insurance for every family member? How will the assets be divided, including the retirement accounts? What is the legal cost of  uncoupling?

You have also been asked by your employer prepare a written report that (a) addresses these questions as well as other that arise (such as race/ethnicities, housing, including utilities, air and water quality, food, safety, auto and homeowner’s insurance, local laws about animals, schools, healthcare availability and affordability, public works (libraries, entertainment, recreation facilities, multi-purpose trails, etc.) and transportation infrastructure, including roads, traffic, and commute time), social services, places of worship, household income, state and local taxes (city and county and fuel), shopping centers, including grocery stores, (b) a comparative analysis with a chart, (c) and highly credible and trusted sources of information/references.