Recognizing The Signs Of Spousal Abuse In Women…And What To Do

Get help for domestic violenceAppearances can be deceiving when it comes to domestic violence. Our unconscious ideas about what abuse “looks like” – it “always” leaves marks –or the “type” of woman who’s married to an abuser – someone with glaringly low self-esteem and limited options — can lead us to miss some of the less obvious signs that our friend, daughter, or sister is in an abusive relationship, and needs help.

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Divorced Parents: Can You Withhold Tuition Payments If You Don’t Like Your Child’s College Choice?

college education and divorceHow much sway do divorced parents ordered to share in the cost of their child’s college tuition have over the school the child chooses to attend? A recent court case takes a look.  Read more

Filing Tax Returns After Separation or Divorce, Part 1

filing taxes after divorce

If you are newly separated or divorced, filing a federal tax return can present a host of new and confusing options and scenarios. In honor of the approaching April 15th tax filing deadline, this month we will be sharing some of this valuable information with you in a three-part series discussing tax issues and divorce. Read more

Kids And Divorce: Are You A Psychological Parent?

Are you a psychological parent?There is an interesting theory in New Jersey family law—that of the psychological parent. In today’s world, there are all different types of families. The “blended” family is becoming more and more common since the days of The Brady Bunch. Many moms and dads remarry, creating stepparents and stepchildren; half siblings and stepsiblings. Same-sex couples have children, where one of the couple is the biological parent and the other is not.

When a third person, not the biological mom and dad, takes an active role in the life of a child, he or she can become what is known as a “psychological parent.” Does this describe you? Read more

Kids, Divorce, And Manipulation: Three Strategies To Overcome Parental Alienation

what is parental alienation?One of the most painful byproducts of a high conflict divorce is watching your ex manipulate your children into believing that you’re a bad parent. Parent-child relationships that were strong before the divorce can be damaged almost overnight when an alienating parent lures a child into the Cult of the Bad Mom/Dad. Brainwashing tactics include bad-mouthing, lies, manipulation of events, and a constant barrage of negatives about the other parent…similar to a political smear campaign.

Treating parental alienation in a family or joint parent therapy setting is challenging because it is unlikely that the alienator will agree to go to therapy or that you will be able to agree on a therapist. Judges can mandate family therapy or parenting classes, but unfortunately, they can’t make an alienator listen to what the therapist has to say.

Some good news? You don’t necessarily need a judge or mental health professional in order to take action and give your child a more balanced picture of you and your relationship. Here are three strategies you can put into action right now to help stop parental alienation and protect your relationship with your kids. Read more

Kids, Divorce, And Manipulation: Parents Who Use Kids As Weapons

high conflict divorce and kidsIn divorce, narcissistic parents often buffer the pain of a failed marriage by trying to destroy their ex’s relationship with the children. Unlike healthy parents, who aim to work themselves out of a job by preparing children to live independently, a narcissist sees their kids as extensions of themselves. They cannot tolerate the thought that their children might grow up to chart their own course. Read more

7 Things About Divorce Your Kids Want You To Know

kids and divorceThe financial and psychological impact of divorce can make it hard to function. It can make it even harder to parent. But it’s important not to let anger and fear hijack your good judgment. You must put aside your feelings about your ex and manage your anxiety about the future in order to provide a healthy home life for your children.

Even the most well-meaning divorced co-parents can do or say things that make their children feel anxious. Kids don’t always know what they need and if they do, they often don’t know how to tell you. Wondering how, exactly, to keep your kids from spending their entire adulthood on a therapist’s couch? Here are seven things you should know about kids and divorce. Read more

Courts Explore Emancipation Factors In Child Support Cases

older kids and divorceCourts in New Jersey are frequently asked to modify, recalculate and terminate child support obligations for various reasons. In cases of emancipation of a child, the courts have routinely found that retroactive modification of child support is permitted, and may sometimes result in a credit or refund to the parent paying the support. In one recent case ruling, the Appellate Division discussed some of the factors that a court must consider in determining whether a child is emancipated. Read more

3 Tips For Getting An Amicable Divorce

how do you achieve an amicable divorce?Nightmare divorces make great fodder for headlines, but the truth is, not every divorce turns into The War Of The Roses. The stories that send shivers up your spine generally involve one or both people with mental health and/or significant substance abuse issues. With practice and foresight, couples that don’t face those challenges can take the following steps to keep their divorce as amicable and collaborative as possible. Read more

You Pay Child Support For Your Teen: Do you Have to Pay Car Insurance, Too?

child support and car insuranceIn the case of Fichter v. Fichter, the New Jersey Appellate Court discussed the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines and amendments to the child support laws relating to car insurance for teen drivers. Do you need to pay car insurance for your teen driver, or should you expect your child’s other parent to share the costs? Read more