Can you believe it? The Holidays are upon us. I do not know where the year went. I guess COVID messed with my internal clock or something because although I cannot wait for the "New Normal" to return to the "Old Normal," COVID will impact how we celebrate this Holiday Season. Before I go any further, I cannot stress the importance of complying with your court order! No one should willfully violate a court order. "Willful disobedience." As it can expose a party to contempt and sanctions. It is … [Read more...]
Advantages of the Collaborative Divorce Team
Having a team is an amazing benefit of the Collaborative Divorce process. Both parties have access to a group of professionals who can help you learn how to advocate for yourself. That is a skill that you need to take with you post-divorce, which is extremely beneficial. Maybe you haven't advocated for yourself before or have not always felt comfortable challenging opinions and decisions in the past. Maybe you haven’t advocated for your children and just accepted … [Read more...]
Two Common Misconceptions About Divorce
As a divorce lawyer, I am often surprised by the questions I hear from my clients reflecting common misconceptions about divorce that they’ve picked up from friends, relatives and the media. The most common misconception is that “there is no such thing as a friendly divorce.” In my over 40 years in practice I have been involved in scores of divorces during which the couples have worked out the details of their divorce settlements with a minimum of unpleasantness and bad behavior. … [Read more...]
How Does Collaborative Divorce Assure Good Divorce Decisions?
The adversarial justice system ensures that the accused can push back, and fight allegations brought by the state. But that system rarely produces an equitable result when families go through a divorce. In many instances, one or both spouses find themselves in difficult post-divorce financial circumstances. Strained budgets typically lead to selling a family home and displacing children from school systems, friends, and the community they’ve grown to appreciate. That’s why an increased number … [Read more...]
Divorce Proceedings; The Impact of Email, Texts and Social Media
In our daily lives, technology has become the new norm. We don't think twice about using email, text, or even social media posts to communicate with loved ones or even the world. Blogs are the new media outlet where we find our hobbies, news, or also lifestyle information. However, have you ever thought about the impact of this type of communication? Many courts allow digital records into evidence; emails, texts, and social media have been used as proof of bad behavior and, in some cases, … [Read more...]
Communication and Co-Parenting
Communication is important in all aspects of life … work, home, relationships and friendships. Communication is even more important in divorce situations because emotions are typically high, and relationships strained. Although it is easier said than done, it is extremely important to communicate effectively with an ex-spouse. This will allow a better co-parenting relationship which is always in the best interest of the children. Divorced parents choose to communicate in many different ways. … [Read more...]
Divorce During COVID-19 and Making Informed Decisions
As if COVID-19 isn’t enough to worry about, Individuals going through divorce are often overwhelmed by the laws involved, as well as by the financial issues. They don’t know what they don’t know, and they are stressed. Your attorney will be your primary guide through this process, explaining the laws as they apply to your situation and being sure that your goals and interest are addressed in the initial meeting and all along the way. Thee “goals and interest” will be … [Read more...]
Adapting to New Technology and Our Changing Cultures
With the advent of technology our world has changed, some would say for the better, but has it? Technology has afforded us conveniences which we have incorporated into our daily life. We have become addicts, addicted to our technology and convenience. We depend so much on technology that we have lessen the demand on ourselves. I remember a point in time when I memorized all my seven siblings phone numbers, addresses, and birthdates. Now, I enter everything in my phone without … [Read more...]
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 – and parenthood – over issues that didn’t seem to exist, back when the couple thought they … [Read more...]
Health Insurance and Divorce
Health insurance is an important issue in any divorce when at least one party is under age 65 and without means to obtain their own health insurance. It can also be a significant issue with children who have graduated from high school but have not yet entered the work force to acquire their own health insurance. Thus, there are two areas where decisions should be made regarding health insurance and divorce: your child’s coverage and your coverage. This article is a high-level overview of what to … [Read more...]
