When going through a South Carolina divorce, couples find themselves stretched thin both emotionally and financially. The costs of getting divorced, paying for a South Carolina family law attorney, alimony, child support, along with the burdens of establishing a new household with extra bills and extra responsibilities can be not only tiring, but expensive. Even… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Children
Subscribe to Children RSS FeedIs “Nesting” After Divorce a Good Idea?
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Dispute Resolution, Psychological Issues, Relationships, VisitationThe New York Times recently published an article on their parenting blog discussing the idea of “nesting” after a divorce and asked whether their readers thought it was a good idea. The topic provoked a heated response from many, with readers divided on the subject. It’s clear that the idea has received increased attention in recent… Continue Reading
Five Ways to Use Technology to Help Bond with Your Children
Posted in Children, Communication, Relationships, Technology, VisitationHave you considered all of the many ways that you can use your smartphone, tablet, computer, or social media to promote closer bonding with your children? The following tips can help you do just that: Exploration :: The most magical thing about literature has always been its ability to provide a way for everyone to explore life,… Continue Reading
Items to Consider in Parenting Plans and Visitation Agreements
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Communication, Dispute Resolution, Relationships, VisitationChildren typically aren’t the ones who ask their parents to divorce, but they are often the ones that are affected the most by divorce. They want (and deserve) the ability to love and spend time with both of their parents. Parenting plans (sometimes called visitation agreements) can help provide that opportunity and ensure that access… Continue Reading
Tips For How To Handle A Custody Evaluation
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Guardian ad Litem, Psychological Issues, Relationships, Research & Investigation, VisitationLast week we discussed what happens when a custody evaluation is ordered in a Family Court case. In contested cases where parents cannot agree about custody and/or visitation issues, judges may require that a psychologist sit down with everyone involved and determine what arrangement would serve the child’s best interest. The following tips can help… Continue Reading
List of Items to Consider for Parents Who Are Separating or Divorcing
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Communication, Dispute Resolution, Divorce, Relationships, Separation, VisitationResponsible parents realize that nothing is more important than the well-being of their children, and they keep that in mind even when they separate or divorce. In a perfect world, parents would put aside their differences and squabbles and act civilly and responsibly around their children and towards one another. Unfortunately, all too many times that… Continue Reading
What’s the Difference Between a Custody Evaluator and a Guardian Ad Litem?
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Guardian ad Litem, Psychological Issues, Research & InvestigationIn South Carolina, when a Family Court Judges want to assess the best interests of children in a divorce, they often appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL). When there are more serious issues of psychological condition and the well being of a child is in doubt, a custody evaluator may be brought into the case…. Continue Reading
What Not To Do With Your Child During Visitation
Posted in Children, D.S.S. Issues, SafetyThis probably goes without saying, but having your nine year old daughter act as your designated driver during your weekend visitation with her is not a smart idea. Apparently, however, one guy was not aware of this: “Dad Charged With Child Abuse” The saddest part of all of this is that from the story, it truly… Continue Reading
Mother Loses Custody of Children Thanks to Facebook Message
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Practice Tips, Psychological Issues, TechnologyA woman from New York has lost custody of her children and been barred from discussing them on social media sites after a series of inflammatory Facebook messages got her in serious trouble. The woman, identified only as “Melody M.,” admitted to a lower court judge in St. Lawrence County Family Court that she used… Continue Reading
Handling Spring Break Visitation While Separated or Divorced
Posted in Children, Communication, Divorce, Separation, VisitationSpring break can be an especially hectic time for separated or divorced families. Even in the best situations, juggling children, schedules, and different vacation plans between two different households can be a challenge. Waiting till the last possible minute to put together plans makes an already challenging situation much worse. Taking a few steps ahead… Continue Reading
U.S. Supreme Court Will Hear South Carolina’s “Baby Veronica” Case
Posted in Child Custody, Children, PaternityThe United States Supreme Court recently revealed that it would hear a hotly contested child custody case out of South Carolina this April. The case, Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl (commonly referred to as the “Baby Veronica” case), deals with a 2012 South Carolina Supreme Court opinion that wrestled with the parental rights of a toddler… Continue Reading
Impact of Divorce On Your Child’s Religion
Posted in Children, Divorce, Research & InvestigationA recent study out of Baylor University revealed that children whose parents went through a divorce and who were actively religious were more likely to change religion or shy away from it altogether as adults. More specifically, the study says that children raised in single-parent households following a divorce are more likely to change or… Continue Reading
Why Newly Admitted Family Law Attorneys Should Invest in GAL Training
Posted in Children, Guardian ad Litem, Practice TipsThe majority of my practice involves serving as a Guardian ad Litem for children in custody and visitation cases in the Family Court in Spartanburg, Greenville, and their surrounding counties in South Carolina. There’s a quote I read many times since I began to practice several years ago: Most successful men have not achieved their… Continue Reading
Parents Relocating With Kids After Divorce in South Carolina
Posted in Child Custody, Children, VisitationOne of the difficult moments after any divorce occurs when one parent decides, for whatever reason, that they need to relocate. When children are involved, moving to a new city or state is no easy task, especially if the other parent intends to stay behind. Even in the best cases, where exes communicate and co-parent… Continue Reading
Important Considerations for Parents in Child Custody Relocation Cases
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Guardian ad Litem, Procedure, VisitationOne of the most common questions I am faced with in both my litigation cases and my private Guardian ad Litem work is, “When is it okay for me to relocate and not endanger my custody arrangements or rights?” Relocation cases can be, and arguably should be, tricky. They can be tricky simply because the law leaves for a great… Continue Reading
Divorce, Parenting and Religion
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Communication, Dispute ResolutionDivorce is a sure way to put your relationship (and your conflicting parenting styles) under the microscope. Differences in style, temperaments and even values surface quickly in situations where newly divorced couples are forced to co-parent. One of the trickiest issues to deal with in such cases occurs when there are problems involving religious preferences and… Continue Reading
Ohio Man Behind On Child Support Ordered Not To Procreate By Family Court Judge
Posted in Child Support, Children, Contempt of Court, Financial Issues, PaternityA recent incident in Ohio shows the frustration one judge felt when dealing with a father who was in arrears on the support owed to several children. Even court orders didn’t appear to be enough to get the man to keep up with his obligations, and the judge was pushed to the brink. Sometimes there… Continue Reading
How Children’s Reactions to Divorce Differ between Age Groups
Posted in Children, Divorce, Psychological Issues, RelationshipsThe following Guest Post is from David Williamson: Divorce is very common these days. In fact, in the USA around half of all marriages end in divorce and around 25% of children under 16 now live with a step-parent. With statistics like this in mind, it is important to consider how this will affect the next… Continue Reading
For The Sake of The Kids…
Posted in Children, Communication, Educational ResourcesIn our practice, we listen to “for the sake of the kids” stories week in and week out, but rarely do we hear one that might actually be “better” for the kids than this one by Thomas F. McDow. What is so interesting is that the situation written about occurs some time after, not only… Continue Reading
Indiana Man Required to Support Artificially Conceived Children
Posted in Child Support, Children, Financial Issues, Medical Issues, Paternity, Relationships, TechnologyAccording to a court in Indiana, one man going through a recent divorce must pay child support for his son and daughter even though they were conceived via artificial insemination from another man’s sperm. The Indiana Court of Appeals rejected the man’s argument that he should not have to pay child support given that his… Continue Reading
Helping With Homework… Even from a Distance
Posted in Children, Communication, Educational Resources, Relationships, Technology, VisitationIf you are even remotely attuned to the world of technology, you have probably heard a mention or two of cloud computing. It’s the latest and greatest new thing to be introduced into our technology lexicon and is quickly becoming a tool that is indispensable at work and at home. A recent article on WiseBread.com… Continue Reading
Grandparents’ Role in a South Carolina Divorce
Posted in Children, Communication, Divorce, Relationships, SeparationEveryone knows that divorce affects more than just the parties involved. Children, friends and extended family members are all impacted when a marriage dissolves. Grandparents are one group that must also adjust to the changes a divorce brings. They often feel caught in the middle, wanting to side with their children while also needing to… Continue Reading
Joint Custody… And Blogging All The Way
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Communication, RelationshipsWhen two parents divorce, the first question that is usually asked in the attorney’s office is, “Who gets the kids?” Generally, both parents are not facing accusations of being “unfit” and unless one parent has a strong preference for sole custody, most couples try to work towards a joint custody arrangement. Joint custody usually is… Continue Reading
How to Effectively Co-Parent with Your Ex
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Communication, Dispute Resolution, Relationships, VisitationAs our regular readers know, our law office is located in Spartanburg, SC. However, we maintain working relationships with family law attorneys all across the country. Occasionally, we will publish guest posts on our blog from some of them, such as the following from Texas family law attorney Scott Morgan: When you have children, divorce is… Continue Reading