The impact of realistic estrangement on child custody matters
Life After Love Gone Wrong Podcast: Season 3, Episode 7 - Invisible Scars: The Impact of Coercive Control on Children
Life After Love Gone Wrong Podcast: Season 3, Episode 3 - Understanding the Role of Parent Coordinators
Life After Love Gone Wrong Podcast: Season 3, Episode 1 - The Truth Behind Coercive Control
Jewish Divorce Talk: Episode 8 - Narcissism and Parental Alienation Talk
Jewish Divorce Talk: Episode 7 - Custody Evaluation Talk
How to Put Your Children First in Co-Parenting
Parenting Time in Arizona - What Does it Mean?
In the recent case of Sandhu v Mangat, 2025 BCCA 34, the BC Supreme Court shed some light on the scope of parenting coordinators’ (PC) jurisdiction and section 7 expenses relating to ‘special or extraordinary expenses’ under...more
The view that many have about divorce and family law matters is that it should be simple. Parties should resolve their difference quickly, save money on legal fees, and walk away from the matter friendly and amicably. Many...more
Many clients dream of a low-conflict divorce. And for good reason—a peaceful separation benefits everyone involved: the spouses, the children, and even their finances. But what happens when one spouse uses the divorce process...more
Holidays come and go, but your ex-spouse is forever. This simple truth guides my advice to clients who share children with their soon-to-be former spouse. The secret to a smoother post-divorce life—benefiting both the...more
You're going through a divorce. Your spouse says something that cuts deep—maybe they call you an unfit parent or threaten that you'll walk away with nothing. These brief yet hurtful comments can trigger impulsive actions. But...more
This blog frequently provides guidance regarding what divorcing spouses can do to protect their families, assets and income, and themselves during a divorce. Another important topic to consider is what not to do during a...more
If you and your spouse are undergoing a divorce with children, there’s a good chance you are thinking about what kind of custody arrangement you will end up with. In Washington, we refer to these as “Residential Provisions”...more
Even if you and your ex are on good terms, co-parenting presents significant logistical challenges. For those who do not have the best relationship with their ex, co-parenting can create conflict and tension....more
The holiday season, with its emphasis on family gatherings, goodwill, and celebration, might seem like an unlikely time to consider divorce. However, for many couples, the stress and emotional intensity of the holidays often...more
In Massachusetts, it is possible to get divorced while pregnant or while your spouse is pregnant, although it adds some complexities to the divorce process. In some other states (including Arkansas, Mississippi, California,...more
When a divorce or family law case begins, one party files a petition or a motion. It could be a petition for dissolution of marriage, paternity, or a motion to modify. It could be a motion for contempt, an order of...more
It should come as no surprise that a child’s best interests change over time. That is one of the reasons why, under the law, that custody and parenting time Orders and Agreements are always reviewable and modifiable. However,...more
Canadian courts encourage parents and guardians to resolve conflict other than through court intervention, but some families still need a neutral decision-maker to move forward. Enter the parenting coordinator, an alternative...more
Summer is over and we will all be back to the school year grind next week. This means schedule changes, new things to buy, lunches, transportation issues, etc. which can all be difficult to coordinate. For blended families...more
Since the Child Support Guidelines were amended in the late 90s, the number of overnights with each parent factored in to the child support calculus for cases within the Guidelines. In general, the more overnights meant less...more
You have a child with another person—either an ex-partner, ex-spouse, or someone with whom you never actually had a romantic relationship. You’ve gone through the court system and agreed upon or litigated a final parenting...more
We often see family law clients who have misconceptions about divorces. These misconceptions impact their decision-making. We are going to debunk common myths about divorce in Arizona to provide clarity and empower...more
Black letter law is that to change a child support Order, the person seeking a modification must show a substantial and continuing change of circumstances. But what is the standard if there is a custody agreement, even if the...more
On October 17, 2023, the Indiana Supreme Court entered an order amending the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines (“Guidelines”), effective January 1, 2024. Notable amendments to the Guidelines include...more
As family law attorneys, we often handle matters that involve one parent seeking child support from the other. The amount to be paid in child support is typically calculated by using child support guidelines. Frequently,...more
In many states, child support obligations do not extend past either the age of 18 or the child’s graduation from high school. In Washington, however, a parent can file a petition to continue child support after the child...more
From the earliest days of this blog in 2008, one of my frequent topics has been the use of parent coordinators. Originally, there was a Pilot Program instituted by the Supreme Court for use of parent coordinators. At the...more
In Washington State, couples going through divorce are required to attend a mediation in an attempt to settle the case before trial, unless excused for reasons such as domestic violence. As a divorce attorney, I have prepared...more
In this podcast, JAMS neutrals Hon. Grace G. Dickler (Ret.) and Hon. Karen G. Shields (Ret.) explore how the pandemic affected family law disputes, how virtual proceedings provided an avenue to keep cases moving forward and...more
In cases where parents are divorced or not married and living separately, most parents are familiar with the idea of child support (i.e., one parent paying money to the other parent for the benefit of the children.) However,...more