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Is Parenting Time the Same as Custody?

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Parenting Time vs. “Custody”  In a family law courtroom, you want to speak the same language as the judge and the lawyers. Speaking the same language doesn’t mean English or Spanish or French.  Instead, it means using the terms defined in your state’s statutes. The term “custody” is one of the biggest chances for people … Continued

What Happens if One Parent gets Infected with Coronavirus

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Co-parenting is hard but has become more difficult since Covid-19 has spread throughout our community. Unfortunately, there is no precedent to help lead parents through this process, and there is no legal standard to help guide the courts either. Although we are in uncharted waters, thankfully, many factors can help guide your decisions during this … Continued

Divorce and Women’s Health

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Going through a divorce can be the most challenging time in a woman’s life. Changes come fast and furious. It’s hard enough to adjust to being single again, but if you compound this with the financial and emotional adjustments of a divorce, a woman’s mental and physical well-being may be at risk.  The stress of … Continued

Modifying Orders in Parenting Cases

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Parenting time orders almost always need modification. Circumstances change as the children get older or as parents moved to new locations. Parenting time order that doesn't need modification at some point, are rare.  Modifying orders is a common feature of parenting time cases.  Parenting time orders are designed around the circumstances at that time. Occasionally, … Continued

What Should I Know About Divorce

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There are many important things to keep in mind when starting a divorce, such as creating financial reserves, seeking out financial assistance, and contemplating where you're going to be living. Other considerations are more emotionally based, designed to help survive a divorce and chart a course for a successful future after its conclusion. Top 5 Practical … Continued

Taking Emergency Action To Modify A Parenting Plan

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When it comes to our children's welfare, every decision is urgent. Once we’ve decided what's best for our kids, we want action right away. When it comes to emergency parenting, the urgency we feel often comes up against the hard reality of the court system.   It's a slow process, getting a judge’s attention, and … Continued

When to Move Out

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Once a spouse has decided a divorce is going to happen, continuing to live together under the same roof can be a really bad idea. Many times though, alternatives to this bad situation aren’t so clear.  Money is scarce. Options seem limited. It’s hard to see how life is going to move forward. What’s a couple supposed … Continued

Alcohol or Drugs and Time with Your Kids

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Substance abuse is a common factor of conflict for parents in a divorce. Divorce parties may turn to alcohol and drug use during the divorce process to handle stressful and sadness. With these cases, addictions can result in the separating parties choosing between family or addiction. In any circumstance, families and legal counsel will want … Continued

Divorce Mediation or Bust

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If you filed for divorce, family court mediation is, more than likely, coming your way. And that’s a good thing. Regardless of whether or not you’ve retained counsel, courts very often order mediation before you’re allowed to set the case for a final hearing. Most often, mediation is conducted by a trained mediator at a…

Protecting Mothers Rights

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In family law cases, mothers face the competing interests of the needs of their children and the involvement of the father. A court must evaluate the needs of children involved and the mother's rights. With strategy, mothers can obtain favorable results for themselves and their families. Protecting mothers rights is an essential part of any … Continued

What Does Parental Alienation Look Like?

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Parental alienation occurs when a parent poisons the relationship between the other parent and his or her children. Its effects are highly destructive on the children and the parents. Experts warn that parental alienation if left unchecked, may have a lifelong impact on a child. Also, the child's relationship with both parents is negatively affected. … Continued

Key to Parenting Time: Cooperation

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Splitting parenting time can be fertile ground for conflict  Parties get fixated on percentages and the number of overnights, instead of cooperation and what may work best for the kids. It’s best to focus discussions on child-centered schedules. If you walk into court describing your kids like a pie to be divided, you’ll lose credibility…

Fathers Have Rights, Too

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"Is my state a father’s state, or a mother’s state?" It's a common question, and we get it all the time from clients worried about gender bias in our courtrooms.  Father's rights cases are on the rise.  You hear men in divorce cases concerned, "fathers have rights, too" Family law statutes in most states are … Continued

Avoid Overpaying Attorney Fees

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Family law clients have a significant degree of control over attorney fees incurred within their cases. The biggest factor in the overall cost of divorce is conflict. If a client manages the level of conflict, carefully picking and choosing their battles, it will have a big impact on the cost of the case. Divorce can … Continued

Child and Family Investigators (CFI)

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A Child and Family Investigators, or CFI, is an expert appointed by a court to help a judge resolve parenting time and decision-making conflicts. Not every case involving children requires a CFI.  CFIs are usually only appointed to cases where one, or both parties request this expert.  A judge may also determine on his or … Continued

Reducing Conflict in Separation

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Divorce can be an unpleasant topic. When a couple decides to get married, the topic of separation is typically not at the top of their list to discuss. However, many of the contentious issues that arise can be minimized by taking the time to discuss the tough questions with your spouse prior to marriage. Similar … Continued

5 Things NOT to Post During a Divorce

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Divorce is easy - said no one, ever. Going through a divorce is one of life's most stressful experiences both emotionally and financially. In today's world, we often turn to social media as an outlet to voice our opinions, seek solace with friends, or simply to keep up with the Kardashians... I mean news. As … Continued

Military Divorce Boot Camp

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Family law affects all types of people from all walks of life. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that people in the military occasionally have to deal with the family courts. While the military has some very particularized rules and procedures uniquely it's own: divorce and allocation of parental responsibility cases remain within the … Continued