Parents who live apart due to separation or divorce frequently have to deal with complex issues. However, even simple situations can cause problems if proper care is not taken beforehand. When a child goes from one parent’s care to the other’s in accordance with a court-ordered visitation schedule, the exchange should be short and non-eventful. Unfortunately, this is often not…
In nearly every situation where parents live apart, children benefit when they speed significant time with both parents. Unfortunately, there are instances where there are concerns about a young person’s safety during visits with a father or mother who has a history of violence, neglect or substance abuse. Frequently, the parenting plan in these cases will include supervised visitation, where…
Holidays can be joyful, but gift-giving sometimes causes stress for parents in the weeks leading up to Christmas and Hanukkah. The pressure can be particularly intense for parents who are divorced or separated. Even when a mother or father is simply trying to make the season magical for their child, there are several ways in which a present can trigger…
Most child custody disputes trigger high emotions, but situations where one parent might relocate a son or daughter out of the United States are particularly contentious. When these cases are litigated, judges need to look beyond the immediate circumstances and consider whether a particular decision will jeopardize the relationship between a potential noncustodial parent and their son or daughter. A…
Divorcing with children presents countless challenges. As you try to craft a fair, comprehensive parenting plan, you’re also hoping to help your children overcome the sadness and anger they might be feeling about the breakup. During the process of working out child custody and visitation arrangements, as well as other divorce terms, the last thing on your mind might be…
Under any circumstances, creating a parenting plan to address issues of legal and physical custody can be a complicated process. There is often sharp disagreement between parents as to what is the best interests of their son or daughter. When a child is on the autism spectrum, disagreements might even become more difficult to resolve. Children with autism often rely…
Divorces, and breakups between unmarried parents, typically stem from tension between the parties. When the relationship was marked by abuse, it is extremely important that child custody decisions reflect this fact and that parenting time terms are drafted in a way that protects young people. Even in cases where physical harm is not alleged, a parent could exhibit a pattern…
For many people, shared custody sounds like an ideal arrangement when parents divorce. Some states have even enacted laws declaring that judges must start their analysis with a presumption that child custody will be split 50/50. While New York has not adopted this type of measure yet, it is a common assumption that dividing parenting time equally is in the…
During a divorce or the breakup of unmarried parents, parties and courts often favor joint custody arrangements. These parenting plans usually offer the best chance for young people to maintain strong bonds with each parent. Unfortunately, things can change in the months and years after a custody order is entered. As a result, a mother or father might ask the…
There are many types of outside pressures that can lead a married couple to divorce. Financial hardship, work-related stress and other factors often make it difficult for even loving spouses to stay connected. A child with autism or another type of developmental disability also has the potential to cause strain within a marital relationship. A recent study followed families of…