Parents navigating “Splitsville” often hope to divide time with their children equally. But in practice, that approach isn’t always the most helpful for children – or even the most practical. “One of the things I emphasize with parents is that, if you work with your co-parent to try to determine what is in the best interest of the children, then …
Abuse doesn’t always end when a relationship does. For some survivors, the courtroom becomes the next battleground. In situations where one party repeatedly weaponizes the court system against the other, often referred to as litigation abuse, lawyers find themselves on the frontlines. “I can see where an attorney could be utilized to perpetuate the discovery and the invasive maneuvers to …
“Communication is key,” says Dr. Tracy Masiello, but for high-conflict divorced parents, even simple messages about a tired child can escalate into legal battles. When that happens, parenting coordinators have the skills and court authority to resolve communication breakdowns. Dr. Masiello, founder of Reaching Resolution, specializes in court-involved therapy, family reunification work, and high-conflict family systems. She and host Sheila …
Divorce or separation can be challenging, especially when co-parenting with an ex becomes difficult—or even impossible. In this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, licensed professional counselor and parent coach Jenevieve Wardell joins host Leigh Sellers to explain how parent coaching can help a parent navigate high-conflict situations and ensure children thrive. Leigh and Jenevieve discuss the differences between therapy, co-parenting …
Divorcing parents are rarely “alienated” from their children, but children of divorcing parents do frequently “resist or refuse” a parent. In the latter scenario, “it’s not that the other parent is intentionally and actively trying to undermine the relationship between a parent and child, but, instead, it’s that something has happened to that child,” explains Dr. Tracy Masiello, a psychologist, …
If you’re going through a divorce, one thing you can count on is a bill from your attorney. Hourly rates differ, but as Touchstone Family Law lawyer Brione Pattison explains, “each attorney is going to provide you with a bill at some point in time.” Brione and colleague Lea Finegan developed a “Top 10” list of best practices to help …
Sarah and John are fictional characters going through a divorce. As Lea Finegan explains, they could take two avenues: litigation or collaboration. In the litigation scenario, their case could drag on for years, personal details would become public record, legal fees mount, and a judge who doesn’t know them would make a one-size-fits-all decision. But through the collaborative family law …
Todd Owens often encounters family law clients who insist they simply want what they’re entitled to. His answer? “[In court] You’re entitled to only one thing, and that’s the opportunity to go in the courtroom, stomp your foot, pound your fist on the table, make your argument, and then cross your fingers and hope to God that the judge sees …
“There’s always a lot of fear around a divorce situation. Everyone’s always worried that the outcome’s going to be something that is going to negatively impact them,” says Kristen Shearin, a certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA). In this conversation with host Sheila Passenant, Kristen describes how CDFAs can reduce that very fear throughout the divorce process. They do this by …
Divorcing couples often find themselves at a loss when trying to determine how to handle what is often their largest asset, the family home. Who stays in the home? What does the person who is leaving the home do for a substitute home? How do you finance these decisions? On this episode of Welcome to Splitsville, we have invited Senior …
A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a community volunteer appointed by the court to serve children by advocating for their best interests before the court. When appropriate, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem in a child custody action. If you’re currently involved in or about to enter a contested custody battle, divorce, or separation, this episode will help …
The world has been facing a public health crisis that has caused significant economic changes and uncertainty. In the first two quarters of the year, families that are both intact and separated are facing increasing financial problems and struggles. More so for the latter, if one parent is obligated by the court to pay child support. But, with the ongoing …