Planning Ahead for a Successful School Year After Divorce

Divorce certainly changes a family in ways that can last a lifetime, and often the children bear the brunt in ways we can’t fully understand. Children do not raise their hand and say, “I am struggling, I am hurting, or I am so very sad or angry.” When children are struggling emotionally, it often shows up at school with behavior and academic changes. It’s like an iceberg, and the small tip is jutting out of the water while the massive formation lurks underneath – and this is where deep emotional issues and hurt lives. But as a parent, we want […]

How to Know Your Relationship Is Over

When you and your spouse said, “I do,” divorce was not even on your radar screen, but as the honeymoon phase waned and time marched on, you began to discover that “happy ever after” was not going to be the outcome you desired. While there are numerous reasons divorce occurs, it is sometimes hard to realize that your relationship with your spouse has ended. We often find with our clients that there are some predictable things that occur. Here are a few of them: Daydreaming about leaving your spouse on a constant basis The bad parts of your marriage outweigh […]

Is It Okay to Use Social Media When Going Through a Divorce?

Did you know that by the time a child is 5 years old, there are over 1500 images of them on social media? Were you aware that the average time it takes to post a newborn’s photo is about 57 minutes after they were born? Using social media is very commonplace today, and because of this guidance, discussing and agreeing to social postings has become mainstream in the divorce process. Social media is a real struggle for parents to navigate, not only for the children of the marriage but for couples. Many people do not realize the damage caused by […]

Mistakes to Avoid When Dividing Assets

When you find yourself starting down the road of divorce, it is understandable why emotions run high and new stressors occur rapidly. There are so many things that need to be considered, from child custody and support to dividing your financial landscape in two. However, one thing is sure: don’t wait to learn that you made mistakes in your asset division after the smoke clears. It’s important that you and your spouse completely understand what is at stake by dividing your financial assets. When you utilize the collaborative divorce process, you can be reassured that you and your partner are […]

Managing Grief in Divorce

Many people do not understand how hard getting a divorce is. The media doesn’t often portray how emotionally draining the process is and how it can linger long after the marriage has been dissolved. Studies have shown that divorcees often experience grief at the same level as losing a loved one. When you divorce using a collaborative divorce model, you and your spouse will work with the team to find a path forward that is agreeable to all involved. The team consists of an attorney for each spouse, a financial neutral, and can also include mental health experts and child […]

“My fiancée wants a prenup, what do I do?”

(Phone rings, Lawyer answers): Good morning, Law Offices, how can I help you? (Potential client): I’m getting married in 6 months, and my fiancée wants a prenuptial agreement. Lawyer: I’m so glad you didn’t wait till the last minute. It can take a while to complete a prenup, and its better not to be under a time pressure when you already have so many other things to plan when getting married. First, let me share with you that I only do these agreements collaboratively. Client: I don’t know what that means, can you explain? Lawyer: Sure, let me start by […]

How To Help Your Children Through Your Divorce

When you are going through a divorce, there are many things you need to take into account, and one of the most important parts to consider is how you can help your children process the divorce. In the collaborative divorce process, your divorce is viewed holistically. You and your family are paired up with attorneys, financial neutrals, and mental health experts who are experienced in dealing with divorce. As we get to know our clients and begin to understand their family dynamics, we often bring in a divorce coach and child specialist to help co-parent and preserve the family unit. […]

Tips for Maintaining Your Finances During Your Divorce

One thing is for sure, taking financial advice from your friends and family can be catastrophic to your financial landscape moving forward long after your divorce has been finalized. When you and your spouse choose to engage in the collaborative divorce process, financial professionals are ready to help understand your family’s financials privately, no matter how complex they are. When we meet with couples, our financial experts often like to share a few thoughts to help couples through the process. Here are a few: Don’t share your financial situation Decide early on what areas are non-negotiable – what can and […]

How To Take Care of Your Mental Health During Your Divorce

Every year we learn more and more about how our mental wellbeing is vital to our long-term health and happiness. Back in the ‘30s and ‘40s, no one paid much attention to mental health issues, let alone the impact of how stress played out in our lives, including our children’s. But in today’s society, we have learned that the stress level of divorce is similar to the death of an immediate family member, and at times the stress can be crushing. With that level of emotional distress, the collaborative divorce process aligns well with helping families deal with the emotional […]

Divorce and Taxes: Who Gets to Deduct What?

Divorce and taxes can be two stressful situations to deal with and most couples are unsure how to complete their taxes once their divorce is finalized. The good news is when you and your spouse opt for a divorce through a collaborative process, you are supported by a team of experts, one of which is a financial neutral who can help you wade through and weigh out the financial changes that will occur, including your tax liability after your divorce has been finalized. Typical child expenses that concern divorcing parents include the following: Whomever your child lives with the most […]