The Essential Elements of Your Parenting Plan
Children go through many stages and phases growing up, and having a clear and thorough parenting plan can help keep you and your ex-spouse on the same page in terms of how to raise your children. Here are some of the most important elements to consider when putting together your parenting plan. By Carolyn Ellis When you get divorced and have children, you’ll be required to create a parenting plan which is a written document that spells out how you agree to parent your children. The parenting plan needs to be clear and practical and keep the best interests and needs of your children in ...
How to Prepare Yourself for the Divorce Process
The divorce process is complicated and you need to be prepared. It’s a mistake to think of divorce as a single event – you get divorced and you’re done. The truth is there are really Four Divorces happening all at the same time, and over a period of time. Knowing that you need to go through these Four Divorces will help you be better prepared in your own divorce process. By M. Marcy Jones Most people going through a divorce have certain expectations and end up surprised when things go off track. The reality is there is so much more involved in the divorce process than just the lega...
Top 10 Tips for Divorcing Parents from a Family Law Attorney
Divorce can be an emotionally complicated and trying time, especially when there are children involved. As a family law attorney, mediator and coach, the author has seen a lot of ways parents mistakenly end up hurting their children in the process. These tips will help you keep your focus on your children’s needs. By M. Marcy Jones Divorce is such a complicated process, and there is so much emotion that needs to be sorted through. Putting your children’s needs ahead of your own isn’t easy, and parents constantly have to check in with themselves to make sure they are doing so. Many ...
20 Signs of Parental Alienation
Parental alienation occurs when one parent starts to alienate the affections of the children so the child does not want to be with or spend time with the other parent. It can have a devastating long-term effect on the children’s relationship with both parents. You may need to seek help from your family law attorney and/or a counsellor to help stop this pattern of behavior. Here are some of the most common signs that parental alienation could be taking place. by Douglas Darnall, Ph.D. To prevent the devastating effects of Parental Alienation, you must begin by recognizing the symptoms o...
The Nuts and Bolts of Child Support
The decision to start, raise and provide for a family doesn’t end just because the marriage did. Child support helps your children and family make the transition to a life after divorce. By Diana Shepherd, CDFA ™ Regardless of whether or not you were ever legally married, all parents have an obligation to support their children. The decision to start, raise and provide for a family doesn't end just because the marriage did. When you separate, child support spells out how financial costs associated with raising your children will be managed and shared during life after divorce. In ...
5 Critical Issues Your Separation and Divorce Needs to Address
Regardless of whether you end up negotiating your divorce settlement or duking it out in litigation with your ex, these 5 critical issues need to be addressed in your separation and divorce. By M. Marcy Jones There are many ways to get divorced, but no matter how you end your relationship legally there are 5 issues that need to be considered and incorporated into your separation and divorce. These issues are custody, visitation, child support, property division, and spousal support. Keep in mind that every state has different laws, so the information here is generic but should be general...
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...
Child Support: What are Special Expenses?
Child support is an important element of your divorce agreement and spells out how much money is to be provided for the care of your children. Special expenses are costs that go above and beyond basic level of child support. By Diana Shepherd, CDFA ™ In many cases, children may have additional expenses that go beyond what the Child Support Guideline amounts will cover. These special expenses generally need to considered both necessary and reasonable by both parents: necessary because they are in a child's best interests, and reasonable in relation to both parents’ incomes. Special...
Child Support Guidelines in the U.S. and Canada
Child support guidelines are published by governments in both the United States and Canada to help families plan for the financial support for their children. By Diana Shepherd, CDFA ™ Child support is intended to ensure that children continue to receive the financial support needed for their long-term well-being from their parents. The amount of child support is based on a number of different factors, including the annual income of each parent, the total number of children in the family, and the custody arrangements for the children. Over time, governments have chosen to provide ce...
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