The Difference between Legal and Physical Custody
Custody can be a very emotional issue for parents. Figuring out the best custody arrangements for your children and family is best served when you don’t let the legal terms confuse you. Demystify the difference between legal and physical custody so you can set up the best parenting schedule that works for your family. By M. Marcy Jones Sometimes divorcing parents get hung up on the legal terminology surrounding child custody without really understanding it. This lack of understanding can make it harder to reach a lasting and respectful agreement. The most important distinction is be...
Questions to Ask before Creating Your Parenting Plan
A well-crafted parenting plan is a necessity for successful co-parenting after divorce. Knowing the answers to these key questions can help you create a parenting plan that will serve your children now and in the future. By Donald A. Gordon Ph.D. and Jack Arbuthnot Ph.D. There are several important issues you should think about as you design your parenting plan. Guiding Questions for Parenting Plans What goals for your children do you both share? How will you continue to be effective parents in separate households? Do you only want to solve your legal matters, or also your fam...
5 Tips for How to Communicate With Your Ex While Co-parenting
Co-parenting with someone you’re in the midst of divorcing can be a big challenge, especially when you need to plan and communicate with them about your children. Here are some tips to help you keep your conversations productive and in the best interest of your children. By Carolyn Ellis The roles of husband and wife may dissolve when the divorce papers get signed, but the roles of being mother and father to your children are life-long commitments and responsibilities. Some may be fortunate enough to have good working relationships with their ex-wife or ex-husband. Others may have an e...
Children and Divorce Beliefs
Children and divorce is a challenging combination and children don't understand divorce. Here's how to help your child break free of three common beliefs children have about their parents’ divorce. By Carolyn Ellis Children and divorce is a very challenging combination. Divorce inevitably has a big impact on your children’s lives. Initially, there are so many external changes that happen – getting used to one parent no longer living with them all the time, keeping track of their toys and clothes between mom’s house and dad’s house and wondering where their friends and school wi...
Child Custody Criteria Used by the Courts
Child custody is a huge issue for divorcing parents that can raise a lot of conflict. If it is necessary to go to court to get your divorce settled, here are some of the criteria judges typically use in determining who gets child custody. By M. Marcy Jones Child custody can be a highly emotional and charged issue in getting divorced. Ideally it is best when the divorcing parents can work it out how to custody of their children, visitation and decision-making about their children should work between themselves. But in some cases your attorneys are not able to negotiate or mediate how to a...
5 Ways to Keep Children of Divorce Out of Conflict
The stress parents face during divorce can bring that conflict and stress into the home environment and their children. If you’ve criticized your ex or even lost your cool about the situation in front of your children, here are some ways you can keep your children clear of the emotional damage. By Alison Fosbery, M.A Do you hope to make your divorce as easy as possible for your children? Parents often face very stressful situations during a divorce. Sometimes stress can cause parents to vent to their children, and conflict can surface in front of them. It is important to realize that c...
Child Custody and Visitation after Divorce
Custody of your children is a critical issue in divorce. Regular visitation is an important way to help your children adjust after divorce and keep strong, healthy relationships with both parents. By Carolyn Ellis When child custody and visitation is handled well, one of the major sources of long-term emotional fallout of divorce on children can be avoided. Too often warring parents create custody battles or use visitation as a weapon against a former spouse. The ones who suffer from those kind of adversarial tactics are the children. Here are some essential custody and visitation doâ...