Is it Ok to get your ex’s Social Security? This question has been popping up on social media lately and at first it seems absurd that someone who is divorced may want to collect on their ex’s Social Security. ...
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Leaders from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and AFCC have released guidelines for coparenting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven Guidelines for Parents Who Are Divorce/Separated and Sharing Custody of Children During the COVID19 Pandemic From the leaders of groups that deal with families in crisis: Susan Myres, President of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Dr. Matt Sullivan, President of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Annette Burns, AAML and Former President of AFCC Yasmine Mehmet, AAML Kim Bonuomo, AAML Nancy Kellman, AAML Dr. Leslie Drozd, AFCC Dr. Robin Deutsch, AFCC Jill Peña, Executive Director of AAML Peter Salem, Executive Director of AFCC 1. BE HEALTHY. Comply with all CDC and local and state guidelines and model good behavior for your children with intensive hand washing, wiping down surfaces and other objects that are frequently touched, and maintaining social distancing. This also means BE INFORMED. Stay in touch with the most reliable media sources and avoid...
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We understand the stress and anxiety everyone is feeling during this unprecedented time. We’re here to continue to answer your questions and field your concerns as closures and hourly changes are affecting all of our lives, on top of worry about our family’s well-being and safety. We received an email this morning with some helpful coping thoughts and a link to a timely Op Ed in the Baltimore sun that we thought could be useful to many. And we suggest using YouTube to your advantage with great stress relieving tips like this one....
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How important is it to have a Will? If you don’t have a Will, state law will decide who inherits your “stuff” without considering who you wanted your “stuff” to go to. However, by preparing a Will, your wishes as to who will receive your estate will be followed, giving you control of how the property you worked hard to accumulate will be divided upon your death. What to include in a Will and what to avoid including in a Will can become extremely stressful. To help you avoid any pitfalls with your Will and determine what can or can’t be part of your estate, work with the attorneys at Sommer & O’Donnell who have years of experience in Family Law including the preparation of end of life documents. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation to discuss your Last Will and Testament....
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DIVORCE: If you’re thinking about divorce, have you asked yourself how to prepare your money for a divorce? Here are six (6) steps to help prepare you financially on successfully navigating the emotional road known as divorce....
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Divorce and Family Mediator There are times when spouses make decisions regarding their assets, which they later regret for a variety of reasons: They want the process over and done with. They are afraid of being bullied and think that being generous will make things easier. They want to avoid a big battle which could end up in court. They want to part on good terms because they will be co-parenting and they would prefer a friendly relationship with their former spouse. They feel guilty and think they should compensate their former spouse. Later on, they feel angry and realize that they should have been less generous. What can be done? In mediation couples will ask if, at a later date, they can go to court to make changes to their agreement. The truth is, the courts are not too happy to have people knocking at their door because they changed their mind. If the party can prove: Mental incompetency; ...
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By Rosalind Sedacca, CDC As a divorced parent you owe it to your children to diligently watch their behavior, listen to their conversations and be aware of any changes that may be due to challenges related to the divorce. Children can adapt well to life after divorce. But it’s up to you to catch signs they may be confused, anxious, insecure or in other ways having problems in their new reality. Here are 5 ways to know your children are doing well, despite your divorce: 1. They continue to thrive at school When school grades fall or aggressive behavior develops, parents need to be proactive and not wait on the sidelines. Conversations with teachers and school counselors can give you a better perspective on your child’s needs. Don’t hesitate to talk to your children as well to learn more about what’s going on and how they feel about the changes and new challenges in their lives. It’s imperative...
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It's no secret that divorce is a stressful experience. While it's natural to feel grief about the dissolution of a marriage, spouses also need to consider the more practical implications when a household dissolves. From divvying up assets to creating custody arrangements, the path from wedding bliss to peaceful divorce can be a long one. Here are 40 divorce secrets from the experts to help you on your journey and keep you from losing too much money on your separation. View Slideshow »...
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One of the saddest consequences of divorce for parents is the alone-time when your children are visiting their other parent. While short-term periods when the kids are away can be a welcome respite for an over-scheduled single parent, that’s not always the case. For many parents the intervals between seeing the children can be long and lonely. This is especially so during the holiday season which can become a particularly challenging time – made even more difficult when friends and neighbors are busy with their own family gatherings. It’s really important for parents who are alone during the winter holidays to get creative and absorbed in activities that you find personally fulfilling. This time of year can also be an opportunity to reflect on meeting your own needs and finding friends and activities that bring joy into your life on a personal level rather than a parental level. Among the greatest challenges divorced parents face is avoiding depression...
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The holidays may be hard to navigate for divorced families– especially in the beginning – know that you are not alone and that you and your children will adjust to the new normal as time goes on. Here are a few tips to help the transition for all members of the family be a little bit easier: Listen to your child’s concerns. Keep old traditions and start some new ones. Maintain the sense of family. Happy Holidays to you and yours from us. We are here to help in all aspects of family law. For more information call (717) 422-5209....
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