Divorce is stressful and creates a variety of emotions. It takes time for everyone to adjust to their new normal and for children to acclimate living in two homes instead of one. I often tell parents, adults choose to divorce, children do not, it’s not their decision to make, yet the divorce still happens to them. Children live the schedule and must adjust to two homes, multitasking their … [Read more...] about 5 Mistakes Parents Make During and After Divorce
Divorce and Children
Visitation And Residency Restrictions – Time And Distance Is The “Driver”
When clients are considering their proposed visitation/possession schedule or residency restriction, whether they are preparing for negotiation, option building, or requested relief from a Court, there are certain overriding issues they should consider. Clients who are considering something other than standard possession and residency restrictions should begin by thinking about the … [Read more...] about Visitation And Residency Restrictions – Time And Distance Is The “Driver”
In Resolving Divorce and Child Custody Disputes What Do Truth and Justice Mean?
In March of this year at the State Bar of Texas Annual Collaborative Law Conference I delivered the closing speech. This was the third time in a row I was asked to be the last speaker at the Conference. In 2020 I talked about The Power of Hope. In 2021 I spoke on Love in Time of COVID. In 2022 I spoke on The Love of the Game. I replayed videos of my interviews with … [Read more...] about In Resolving Divorce and Child Custody Disputes What Do Truth and Justice Mean?
What Do Children Want and Need When Their Parents’ Divorce?
Children need to see their parents being supportive of each other, especially during a divorce. They need to see their parents having a united front - that they are still able to communicate with each other and make decisions for them that are in their best interest. Ultimately, children need to see that they are still both their parents even though they are getting a divorce. The Children's … [Read more...] about What Do Children Want and Need When Their Parents’ Divorce?
For Divorce with Special Needs Children – Collaborative Divorce is the Better Option
April is “Autism Acceptance Month.” Prior to 2021, this acknowledgement was called “Autism Awareness Month,” but as we have begun to learn more about autism and what it means to be “on the spectrum” of autism, we have learned that being on that spectrum is like a rainbow–there are many variations of abilities and inabilities, challenges and yet special gifts that people on the … [Read more...] about For Divorce with Special Needs Children – Collaborative Divorce is the Better Option
Divorce Is Different For Parents of Kids with Disabilities
Figuring out how to divide and share rights, responsibilities and time with the kids is hard for divorcing parents of all children – with and without disabilities -- because there are so many things to consider. Parents eventually land on how they will handle schedules, residences, health care, and support, but going through the process can generate a lot of reflection on childhood … [Read more...] about Divorce Is Different For Parents of Kids with Disabilities
Protecting Our Children in Divorce.
Billy’s parents are divorcing. Billy is 7 years old and he is worried that he will never see his father again. Harper’s parents are divorcing. She is 19 years old and Harper is worried that her parents will no longer be able to pay for her college. Jim’s parents are divorcing. Jim is 10 years old. Jim is worried that he will be separated from his dog half the time. Madelyn’s parents are divorcing. … [Read more...] about Protecting Our Children in Divorce.
Think Like a Child When Going Through Divorce
For many of my years as a family lawyer I was asked by judges to represent the interests of children going through divorce. As an “ad litem” or “amicus attorney”, it was my duty to talk to my young charges to find out what they were thinking and what was bothering them. In many cases their parents couldn’t agree on where the children should … [Read more...] about Think Like a Child When Going Through Divorce
Ten Behaviors of Parents Who Keep Their Divorce Child Focused
When dealing with a divorce where children are a concern, it is of utmost importance to keep the proceedings focused on them and their well-being. A collaborative divorce can achieve this goal, in addition to skipping expensive litigation. Here, we have laid out ten behaviors that divorcing parents should display to keep the divorce child focused, so that parents can promote strong, happy, healthy … [Read more...] about Ten Behaviors of Parents Who Keep Their Divorce Child Focused
Finance and Children
Divorce is always a challenging time for parents and children alike. There are so many factors to consider such as custody schedules, selling or keeping the family home, splitting assets, etc. As the divorcing parents negotiate the terms of the divorce, they hopefully have the best interest of the children involved. One of the most contentious areas in divorce is finances. Many of the financial … [Read more...] about Finance and Children
