Let's Talk Child Custody
What is a Parenting Coordinator and Why Do We Need One?
Can my ex-spouse see our children if he/she does not pay the court ordered child support?
Highly contested child custody cases are hard on everyone. The children's routines change. The parents lose the ability to see their children 24/7. None of it is pleasant. But can parents make it worse? Absolutely!...more
Summer break is often a joyful time for many children but can be a common point of conflict for divorced or separated parents. With the family’s typical school routine derailed, parents may need to revisit parenting schedules...more
Missouri recently followed many other states by making equal parenting time a rebuttable presumption in divorce and child custody matters. The rebuttal presumption was enacted as part of Senate Bill 35, which went into effect...more
One of the least pleasant tasks to lawyers who do custody work is advising the client that a planned relocation to support a new intimate relationship may not get off the proverbial runway. Yesterday’s decision in Leytrick v....more
One of my favorite holiday movies is Four Christmases (in addition to Home Alone, Elf, Christmas Vacation, Planes Trains + Automobiles… okay, call me basic). In the movie, a non-married couple played by Reese Witherspoon and...more
The holiday season is often a joyous time for family, friends, loved ones, traditions, vacations, and New Year’s resolutions. It can also be hectic and nerve-wracking....more
The concept of child custody has evolved over the years. In the past, having sole legal custody was relatively common, but as family dynamics have shifted, with both stay-at-home and working parents playing essential roles in...more
Divorce is an emotionally charged journey that can take a toll on all parties involved, particularly when children are caught in the crossfire. Within the Jewish community, divorce comes with its own set of considerations,...more
It can feel overwhelming going through a divorce when you have children. There are so many things to consider that it can be tough to know where to start. If you have children under age 18 and are getting divorced in...more
People in just about every form of business find a time of year when life becomes difficult. For accountants it’s tax season. Firefighters have August when forest fires rage. For family lawyers it’s Christmas or just about...more
Holidays are a magical time, full of whimsy, togetherness, and memory-making pastimes. Thanksgiving is my personal favorite. I love the food, the company, and the uninterrupted time I get with my family....more
As the holidays approach, it can be a wonderful time for families and traditions. However, when you are going through a divorce or custody proceedings, it can also be a stressful time. There are a lot of unknowns during the...more
It’s November 1st… “All I want for Christmas” was on every radio station at 12 a.m., Target stores have rapidly replaced all Halloween aisles with winter holiday decor, the rush to shopping begins, and we start to think about...more
I previously blogged on parenting time restrictions due to vaccination issues “No Vaccination, No Parenting Time“. The issue hasn’t gone away and it won’t for some time. The reality is that while the COVID-19 pandemic seems...more
As I anticipated in a prior blog about general vaccinations, the hot topic is now how a COVID-19 vaccination status impacts parental rights. I recently gave a lecture about family law topics and COVID-19, during which I...more
If you have children, your relationship with your ex isn’t over once the divorce is final; you will need to have a solid co-parenting relationship. Some people fall into this easily, but for others it’s a struggle,...more
School Openings and Child Custody - We live in unpredictable times. Schools are opening, schools are closing. One week they’re using a hybrid model for learning, the next week it’s completely virtual — forcing us to be...more
A May 8, 2020 New York Times headline proclaimed, “The Pandemic has Slowed the Divorce Process. Here’s What to Expect.” A litany of nightmares follows -- inability to commence the process, ongoing cases at a standstill,...more
A meeting of the Rules Committee of the Superior Court of Connecticut was held on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. At the meeting, the Rules Committee suspended various Practice Book rules. ...more
The holiday season tends to bring out the best, or the worst, in people. It is a time to celebrate the joys of life and let the stress of the prior year slip away. Unfortunately, divorce and the holidays tend not to mix well...more
In divorce and child custody matters, courts issue custody orders at the end of the case. In some states, these are referred to as parenting plans. Sometimes, a temporary order, known as a PDL Order in some states, is...more
In divorce and family law matters where custody and visitation of children are at issue, many wonder whether keeping a custody log will help. In other words, does it make sense to get a calendar and take notices of who has...more
August is the start of the school year for most children. For many kids, where they are going to school is a forgone conclusion. It might be that they are simply returning to the school that they attended in the past....more
Holidays are supposed to be a time of merriment and conviviality. Experience has taught us that they are also a time of immense stress. This is especially true where families are no longer intact. ...more
I know, I know. Summer is coming to an end and despite how much torrential rain we have had, it is still sad to see it fade off into the sunset as the days get shorter and colder. Having just returned from a shore trip with...more