The coronavirus pandemic has had a real impact on almost every aspect of American society. Shelter-in-place orders and work-from-home arrangements have created enforced closeness for many couples who may be unaccustomed to spending so much time together.
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The coronavirus pandemic has had a dramatic impact on life in the United States. Parents who share custody of their children after a divorce should consider the way in which their actions could affect their children and their former spouse or partner. In some cases, making temporary changes to the custody schedule could provide added protection for the younger members of your family and the two households involved in your custody arrangements. Here are some of the most practical and positive tips for staying connected in your co-parenting duties during the COVID-19 emergency. Put Your Children First If you are worried that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 during the course of your daily activities, taking steps to prevent the potential transmission of coronavirus to your co-parent and your children is essential. Although it is believed children are less likely to contract serious or fatal cases of the disease, some younger people have been hospitalized or have died from COVID-19 over the past few weeks. Practicing social distancing and limiting activities in public to the bare minimum is the most responsible way to deal with the current pandemic and manage your parenting duties. Establish Common Priorities For both you and your co-parent, establishing a set of priorities for your children and your activities will help you manage the stresses and challenges of this trying time. Depending on where you live and the restrictions on activities in your area, you may need to establish schedules for homeschooling, completing schoolwork and managing screen time for your children. Setting aside some time each day for safe and distanced outside play will also help you and your co-parent keep your children happy and healthy for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak. Create Alternative Strategies for Communicating If you normally communicate with your co-parent through face-to-face conversations, now may be the best time to shift to telephonic contacts and teleconferencing applications like Skype or Facetime. This can also keep grandparents and extended family members close without presenting the risk of spreading the coronavirus to these vulnerable individuals. By implementing these co-parenting communication methods, you can practice social distancing while keeping in touch with your loved ones. Make Accommodations Income levels can fluctuate significantly for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Gig workers and those in non-essential industries may be laid off or may experience a significant reduction in the work they can perform and the pay they receive. Being flexible and making allowances for changes in income and the ability to pay child support can help you to continue co-parenting successfully and can set the stage for future cooperation after the current emergency situation is over. Most family court services are limited during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus. As a result, it is essential for you and your co-parent to find ways to resolve issues without recourse to these legal avenues. This will help you demonstrate your willingness to adjust to changing conditions and work with your co-parent to create the best environment for your children.
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Divorce mediation can be a solid solution for couples who no longer wish to be married but are not on hostile terms with each other. Understanding the five stages that typically make up the mediation process will help you and your former spouse determine if this option is the right one for you. Here are the five stages of divorce mediation. Introducing Mediation During this stage of divorce mediation, you and your former partner will meet with the mediator to provide basic information and to determine whether you are good candidates for this process. Your mediator will typically use this first series of meetings as a way to evaluate the level of anger and hurt feelings and to assess the chances of success for a mediated divorce. Gathering Information Your mediator will also request a wide range of information from you and your former partner, including information on any children, living arrangements, financial matters and other issues that could affect the progress of your divorce. Providing accurate information to your mediator can help you and your former spouse come to an equitable arrangement about your finances, custody arrangements and the terms of your divorce. The information-gathering stage of mediation happens early in the process to allow time for corrections and to make sure that all information is available to make the right decisions for your case. Framing the Discussion After most or all of the information has been collected by your mediator, he or she will begin the process of framing your divorce discussions in terms of your primary goals and desired outcomes. This may involve joint or individual sessions that will highlight the goals and wishes of both you and your former partner. The framing process will help your mediator determine the best approach for working through any differences and will help you achieve your goals as a divorced couple. Negotiating Terms The hard work of mediation generally takes place during negotiations regarding all aspects of your divorce proceedings, including the following: Child custody and visitation arrangements Decisions regarding the education, medical treatments and religious upbringing of children Division of marital assets and debts Living arrangements Divorce mediators specialize in finding workable compromises that allow both you and your former spouse to get at least part of what you want during your divorce proceedings. Your mediator will work with you to determine the best and most practical solutions for managing the terms of your divorce for both you and your former spouse. Concluding the Mediation Process When all elements of your divorce have been worked out to the satisfaction of both you and your former spouse, your mediator will create a settlement agreement for you to review. If you both agree to sign, the settlement agreement will be submitted to the courts as part of the documentation associated with your divorce. Divorce mediation can reduce the disputes that often accompany the end of a marriage and the beginning of new separate lives. For couples who can find a way to reach agreements on most major issues, mediation is a solid solution that can lower levels of stress and tension throughout the divorce process.
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Knowing how to talk to your children about divorce can help you and your former partner provide the support needed to help your kids navigate through this difficult process. A few simple tips can make a big difference in the ability of your children to understand and adjust to the new situation. Here are five proven strategies for explaining the divorce process to your children. Allow Plenty of Time Choosing a time without any major distractions or scheduling problems is essential to provide your children with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and for you to calm their fears. Your kids will typically have concerns about their future living arrangements, where they will go to school and how much time they will have with each of their parents during and after the divorce. Be ready to answer these questions and to soothe any worries your children may have about their own well-being after the divorce. Present a United Front Even if you and your former partner are not on the best of terms, it is usually preferable to break the news to your children together. This will allow you to demonstrate that both you and your former partner intend to continue to be part of each child’s life now and after the divorce process is completed. By letting your children know the news in a unified and calm way, you can lower their stress levels during this difficult time. Avoid Open Hostility Divorce can be difficult for all parties. Hurt feelings and blame for the breakdown of the relationship can make it difficult for you and your former partner to communicate calmly about your divorce. Most experts recommend, however, that you avoid saying negative things about your former partner to your children during any discussions about divorce. You and your co-parent will be sharing the responsibility for your children for years to come. Keeping things civil during the divorce will help you establish the best foundation for your children’s future happiness. Watch for Signs of Trouble Children may act out or become depressed after you talk to them about your divorce. Keeping a close eye on their behaviors during the days, weeks and months after you speak to them about your plans to divorce will allow you to act quickly to help them cope. It may also be helpful to schedule a conference with the teachers of your children to let them know about your divorce and to ensure that they are aware of the extenuating circumstances for your children. Consider the Age of Your Children Younger children do not need the same level of detail about living arrangements and other issues related to divorce. Simply letting them know that you and your former partner are not getting along and that you will be living in separate homes is usually enough for these younger children. Older children may have many more questions about where they will go to school and with whom they will live. Making sure that children of all ages feel secure and safe during the divorce process is essential to ensure the best outcomes for your family. Keeping these five tips in mind can allow you to navigate your divorce more easily and can help your children weather the process in the most positive way possible.
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Modern technologies are making it easier for divorcing couples to navigate the legal process and to streamline their proceedings. This can add up to reduced costs and improved communication between former partners. Learning about the available applications and how they can help you to manage the process of divorcing will allow both you and your partner to communicate clearly and to navigate the dissolution of your marriage in the most practical and positive way possible. These four tools can help you deal with the process from start to finish. dtour.life Designed to help divorcing couples manage the legal process more effectively, dtour.life is an ideal starting point for obtaining information on divorce in California. This app allows clear and accurate communication between divorcing couples and their attorneys. You and your former partner can fill in forms online, provide information about income, expenses, assets and debts and access databases of information that can make the legal process much simpler and less stressful for both of you. Your attorneys will also appreciate the convenience and ease of use of this advanced computer application, which allows practical case management for attorneys and law firms in managing the dissolution of your marriage. FamilyDocket Another application designed specifically for use during divorce proceedings, FamilyDocket allows for the capture of text messages between divorcing couples and the storage of a wide range of information, including the following: Reimbursable expense requests and reports Tasks assigned to and information returned by divorcing couples Supporting documents for cases Summary emails that offer prioritized access to urgent items and tasks that require your review A searchable database of information that can put all documents relevant to your case at your attorney’s fingertips. This advanced technological tool is ideal for managing cases that are being handled by collaborative attorneys as well as traditional court proceedings. By taking advantage of this practical application, you and your former partner can often reduce the amount of time needed to complete the dissolution of your marriage in the state of California. SupportPay For families dealing with child support and expense sharing arrangements, SupportPay offers real advantages. SupportPay offers one-stop solutions for making, recording and receiving child support, alimony, spousal support, and expenses. This is a practical way for divorcing or divorced couples to manage the monetary aspects of their breakup without requiring personal contact or the stress that can sometimes accompany in-person meetings. Our Family Wizard Our Family Wizard is a great way to begin the process of co-parenting on the right note. By allowing you to communicate with your former spouse in the most positive way, this application allows a more collaborative co-parenting experience for both of you. The information stored in Our Family Wizard can also provide added documentation for your attorneys to help streamline the process of divorcing in California. If looking for another helpful app to assist with communicating with a co-parent, read our previous post on using the coParenter App, which integrates artificial intelligence and human mediation to promote the best outcomes for children and their parents after a divorce.
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If you are planning to divorce in the state of California in the near future, divorce mediation may be a workable solution for you and your former spouse. These divorce options allow you both to provide your input on the division of debts and assets, child custody and living arrangements during and after the decree is final. Here are some practical ways to convince your former partner to consider mediation for your upcoming divorce. Be Upfront With Your Intentions Bringing up the subject of meditation should not be an exercise in subterfuge. Openness and honesty will more often persuade your former partner to your position than attempts at trickery or subtlety. Being upfront about your wish to use mediation for your divorce proceedings will typically provide the best outcomes for these efforts. Attempt to Reduce Conflict These strategies can typically pay off in a more cordial relationship between you and your former spouse, which can usually result in improved results for divorce mediation proceedings. Explain the Benefits of Mediation Doing a little research on the mediation process and the advantage of using mediation to manage your divorce will often help you to make the most compelling case when broaching the subject to your former partner. Some of the most important benefits of mediation may include the following: By approaching your divorce in a calm and civil manner, you and your former spouse can achieve the best results and the most streamlined divorce proceedings possible. This can have real benefits for you and your children and will typically ensure that you achieve your goals of separate lives and brighter futures in the most positive way possible.
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The impact of social media on everyday life has been considerable. If you use these sites to communicate with family members or to stay in touch with friends, you should be aware that sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
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According to a number of reputable surveys, inquiries about and filings for divorce increase in the month of January nearly every year.
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The holidays are a joyous time for most families and offer plenty of opportunities for sharing the spirit of the season with the ones who matter most. Finding the right way to manage gift-giving activities after your divorce in California can be a challenging proposition. This is especially true for divorced couples with children. Making sure that you and your former partner communicate your intentions regarding gifts for your children will help you provide the happiest holiday experience for the younger members of your family. Here are some of the most helpful tips for dealing with holiday presents this year. Keep Things Civilized Even if you and your former partner are not on the best of terms, making an effort to communicate in a civilized manner during the holidays can help create a festive atmosphere for everyone involved. If you and your former spouse can find a way to put your differences aside, you can collaborate on the gift-giving process and the entire holiday celebration. This will help ensure the best and most practical solutions for providing your children with the most joyous holidays possible. Compare Notes Nothing can ruin a holiday celebration more quickly than duplicated gifts, especially for expensive items that make up a good portion of your holiday budget. By working together with your former partner to decide on who will buy specific gifts, you will be able to use your available funds in the most practical way. This will reduce the possibility of disappointment when giving gifts to your children during the holiday season. Use Technology to Communicate If you have difficulty in communicating face-to-face or over the phone with your former spouse, email and texting can provide you with a convenient way to touch base without the emotional baggage that can accompany personal interactions. By limiting your communications to methods that require little or no direct back-and-forth discussion, you can promote a more cordial relationship while reducing the risk of misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Give and Let Go Once the presents have been given to your children, it is important to let go of any possessive thoughts about these items and allow your child to decide whether they want to keep your gifts at your home or at your co-parent’s home. This will ensure that your children feel as comfortable and secure as possible. By treating gifts as the exclusive property of your children, you can lower the chance that your children will feel as if your presents come with strings attached. This will help them be more confident and make their own decisions with greater self-assurance. Be Willing to Compromise With any co-parenting relationship, there may be disagreements on the right approach to raising your children after a divorce in California. Finding ways to overcome these disagreements and decide on the appropriate gifts for your children can be essential to your ability to continue to co-parent effectively in the future. A little kindness will go a long way toward resolving issues that could arise from your holiday planning process. By working together with your former spouse, you can create a memorable holiday season and a happy new year for your children and yourselves.
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Divorce mediation is a solid choice for couples who are on relatively good terms during their divorce proceedings. By opting for a mediated divorce rather than going to court to determine the terms of your divorce, you can often create mutually beneficial arrangements that will help both you and your former partner move on with your lives. Mediation may also be recommended for couples with children to provide the most comfortable interactions between parents and the best environment for children when navigating a divorce. Deciding whether mediation is the right choice for you and your former spouse can help you manage your divorce in the most practical way for your situation. Are You a Good Candidate for Divorce Mediation? Couples that successfully navigate the mediation process generally share some common traits. These characteristics can make the difference between a mediated divorce and one that ends up in court because of issues that cannot be resolved in a less formal setting. Here are some of the most important elements that must be present for mediation to be successful. Both Parties Must Agree to the Divorce The first and most important element for mediating your divorce successfully is an agreement on the part of both you and your former partner to divorce. Mediation is not appropriate for cases in which one partner does not want to divorce and is likely to contest those proceedings in and out of court. There Must Be No History of Abuse If abuse has been present at any point during the relationship, mediation is unlikely to be the right solution for your divorce. This includes abuse of your children as well as domestic abuse. If you or your former spouse have a history of abuse, enlisting a divorce attorney and going to court is usually the best way to deal with child custody and other matters pertaining to your divorce proceedings. You Should Be Able and Willing to Communicate Clearly Establishing clear lines of communication and being able to talk calmly and without undue emotion is also essential for a successful mediation process. This may involve talking with your mediation attorney or directly with your former spouse. In either case, leaving the anger and disappointment behind during mediation is likely to provide you with a better experience and more practical solutions throughout your divorce process. Both Parties Should Be Willing to Compromise Compromise and negotiation are at the heart of the mediation process. If you are unwilling to give up any of the things you want to reach an equitable agreement about, mediation is not the right choice for you. Negotiating a mutually satisfactory divorce will require a fair amount of give and take for both you and your former partner. A willingness to compromise is one of the most essential elements in a successful mediation process. For couples who are on fairly good terms, divorce mediation can provide added control over the process and the outcomes of these proceedings. This will often allow you and your former spouse to make the most practical decisions for your children and to move on with your lives in the most positive way possible.
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