Tag Archive for: child custody

Parenting Coordination: By the Numbers

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Section 61.125, Florida Statutes, establishes an alternative form of dispute resolution, known as parenting coordination, for parents attempting to establish or implement a parenting plan.  This process involves a facilitator (referred to as a parenting coordinator) who is usually appointed by a judge to (i) teach techniques in co-parenting and (ii) make recommendations so that the parents are able to better work together in furthering the best interests of their children.  I find that parenting coordination is most often useful in high-conflict child custody situations.

In the most recent edition of Commentator magazine, psychologist Debra K. Carter reveals the results of a study conducted by the Florida Chapter of the Association of Family & Conciliation Court as well as the University of South Florida regarding parenting coordination:

[E]ighty-two percent of Survey respondents use a formal parenting coordination contract with their clients.  Sixty percent charge their clients by the hour with standard fees ranging from $90.00 to $220.00 per hour.  Seventy-eight percent reported that fees were always split 50/50 between the parties.

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Tips on Communicating with a Divorcing Friend or Relative

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When a friend or relative is going through a divorce, you may be unsure how to handle sensitive situations.  For example, what if you are friends with a divorcing couple, and the wife expects you to pick a side?  How do you handle a situation when your divorcing friend avoids making plans with you because money troubles have greatly reduced his leisure budget?  What do you tell a family friend’s child who asks you questions about her parents’ divorce?  Author Denise Schipani discusses these and other topics in an article at womansday.com, excerpts of which appear below.

On how to respond to a friend that just told you she’s getting a divorce:

The best thing you can say in this situation is simply, “I’m here for you.” In a way, supporting a divorcing friend is not unlike supporting a grieving friend, because divorce—even if she wanted it, even if it’s relatively amicable—evokes similar feelings of loss.

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Study Shows Good Father-Child Relationship Can Temper Negative Effects of Divorce

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In a recent article in the Commentator Magazine entitled The Negative Impact of Divorce on Children, psychologists Lori Wasserman, Sheila C. Furr, and Theodore Wasserman discuss several studies which follow children before, during, and years after their parents divorce.  The article relays negative effects that divorce can bring out in children, including (i) difficulty in school, (ii) more behavioral problems, (iii) self-concepts that are negative, (iv) more problems with peers, and (v) more trouble getting along with their parents.

The article notes, however, that a close father-child relationship may help stem these negative effects:

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Video: Divorce TV – Collaborative Divorce Part 3

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Attorney Adam B. Cordover has completed advanced training in interdisciplinary  collaborative family law and is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Collaborative Divorce Institute of Tampa Bay.

If you would like to speak with a collaborative lawyer and learn how the collaborative process can help your family, call The Law Firm of Adam B. Cordover, P.A., at 813-443-0615 or fill out our contact form.

Video: Divorce TV – Collaborative Divorce Part 2

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Attorney Adam B. Cordover has completed advanced training in interdisciplinary  collaborative family law and is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Collaborative Divorce Institute of Tampa Bay.

If you would like to speak with a collaborative lawyer and learn how the collaborative process can help your family, call The Law Firm of Adam B. Cordover, P.A., at 813-443-0615 or fill out our contact form.

Video: Divorce TV – Collaborative Divorce Part 1

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Attorney Adam B. Cordover has completed advanced training in interdisciplinary  collaborative family law and is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Collaborative Divorce Institute of Tampa Bay.

If you would like to speak with a collaborative lawyer and learn how the collaborative process can help your family, call The Law Firm of Adam B. Cordover, P.A., at 813-443-0615 or fill out our contact form.

Calculating Child Support: Net Income

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In a previous post, I provided a list of items which would be considered gross income for child support or alimony purposes.  Florida law does allow some deductions to that gross amount prior to calculating a child support obligation.  These deductions include the following: Read more →

Who has the Right to File a Paternity Suit?

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Paternity is essentially the legal recognition that a man is the father of a child.  Establishment of paternity brings with it various rights and responsibilities, including (i) the right to establish a time-sharing (visitation) schedule for the father, (ii) the responsibility of the father to provide the child with financial support, and (iii) the right of the child to inherit from the father.

As stated in section 742.011 of the Florida Statutes, the following people may bring a paternity suit in Florida:

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Video: Ten Reasons to Choose Collaborative Divorce

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Click the following link to view a video produced by the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. The video follows Sally and Lionel, a couple that have agreed to let cameras into their interdisciplinary collaborative divorce process:

http://video.collaborativepractice.com/video/default.html

Additionally, the video expounds upon the following ten reasons to chose collaborative divorce over the traditional litigation model:

1) Lawyers are specially trained to reduce conflict and negotiate wise settlements

2) The opportunity to protect your children from the damage caused by a high conflict divorce Read more →

Will Collaborative Divorce Work in Your Case?

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The collaborative law process may not be for every case.  The Collaborative Divorce Institute of Tampa Bay has some suggestions to help you determine whether the collaborative approach is right for you:

Perhaps you are ready for a divorce but are unsure of whether to approach the matter using the traditional court-based solution or whether you should turn to the new growing phenomenon of Collaborative Divorce. How do you know if this alternative is right for you?

If you wish and are able to:

  • Maintain a tone of respect, even when facing a difficult decision or disagreement.
  • Prioritize the needs of your children.
  • Listen objectively and consider the needs of you and your spouse equally.
  • Work to devise creative and unique solutions to your issues.
  • Plan for the future by reaching beyond your current frustration.
  • Behave ethically when interacting with your spouse and other Collaborative professionals.
  • Maintain control of the divorce process and not relegate it to the courts if a difficult situation arises.

Then Collaborative Divorce is a workable option for you. If this sounds like a comfortable solution for you we suggest you talk to a Collaborative lawyer or other Collaborative professional about your situation so they may help you make your final decision.

Attorney Adam B. Cordover has completed advanced training in interdisciplinary  collaborative family law and is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Collaborative Divorce Institute of Tampa Bay.

If you wish to schedule a consultation with a collaborative lawyer, call The Law Firm of Adam B. Cordover, P.A., at 813-443-0615 or fill out our contact form.