The 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
Category Archives: Psychological Issues
Subscribe to Psychological Issues RSS FeedTips 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
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
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
How To Keep Costs Down During A South Carolina Divorce
Posted in Attorney-Client Relationship, Dispute Resolution, Divorce, Financial Issues, Psychological IssuesEveryone already thinks divorce is an expensive proposition. In fact, many people think that “money-stealing attorneys bleed clients dry”. The reality is that divorce can actually be quite affordable and usually only becomes expensive when couples lose their cool and use the legal process as a tool to exact revenge on former spouses. There are… 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
Tips for Dealing with the Borderline Personality (and Other Crazy People)
Posted in Communication, Dispute Resolution, Practice Tips, Psychological IssuesIn Family Court, we see (and deal with) all different types of personalities, especially when considering that we encounter people expressing raw emotion, often on their worst of days. The following tips can prove helpful (for both attorneys and litigants in family law cases) when dealing with borderline personalities and other crazy people: If you don’t… Continue Reading
Valentine’s Day Tips for Divorced or Separated People
Posted in Divorce, Miscellaneous, Psychological Issues, Relationships, SeparationDid you know that Valentine’s Day is the second most celebrated holiday around the world, trailing only New Year’s Day? However, for those going through a separation or divorce (or those who have recently done so), watching others celebrate a day devoted to love and romance can be difficult. Separated, divorcing, or divorced people might find the following activities… Continue Reading
How to Speed up Your Divorce
Posted in Attorney-Client Relationship, Communication, Dispute Resolution, Divorce, Practice Tips, Psychological Issues, SeparationThe following post is republished from the excellent divorce blog published by my friend, Dick Price, as I believe that anyone facing Family Court can benefit from this sage advice: One of the most common questions clients have for their attorneys is how to speed up their divorce or other court case. This is very… Continue Reading
Sesame Street Tackles Divorce
Posted in Children, Communication, Divorce, Educational Resources, Marriage, Psychological Issues, Relationships, SeparationBig news on the children television front: Sesame Street has made the decision to finally deal with the messy topic of divorce. The production company behind the TV show didn’t arrive at the conclusion easily; instead, writers and researchers with the Sesame Workshop have spent two years planning the segment. The segment will star Abby Cadabby,… Continue Reading
Father Uses Beauty Pageant As Ammunition in Custody Battle
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Psychological IssuesMany people in South Carolina may have strong opinions about child beauty pageants. The activity has recently been prominently featured in two shows including “Toddlers and Tiaras” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.” The shows often depict girls dressed up to appear more mature, singing and dancing in the hopes of nabbing a crown. The… Continue Reading
HBO Documentary Lets Kids Give Parents Advice About Divorce
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Communication, Dispute Resolution, Divorce, Educational Resources, Psychological Issues, Relationships, Separation, VisitationIt’s pretty easy for one adult to share advice with another on how to handle your divorce. But for many parents, the divorce process is so full of details concerns unique to their family that tips from well-meaning friends, family members and colleagues can easily go in one ear and out the other. A new… Continue Reading
Norwegian Study Shows Correlation Between Shared Housework and Higher Divorce Rates
Posted in Communication, Dispute Resolution, Divorce, Marriage, Psychological Issues, Relationships, Research & InvestigationA recent study out of Norway revealed that divorce rates are higher among couples who equally share the housework than in those where the woman does the bulk of the chores. The bizarre findings indicate that the divorce rate among couples who shared housework equally was around 50% higher than among those where the woman… Continue Reading
Does Your Child Need Therapy After Your Divorce?
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Divorce, Educational Resources, Psychological Issues, Relationships, Separation, VisitationIf you’re going through a divorce or about to begin the process and have children, one of your top concerns will likely be the impact it will have on the kids. You may be worried about what signs to watch for and what behaviors signal that your child is experiencing problems that may require professional… Continue Reading
Drug Testing and Nasty Child Custody Disputes in South Carolina
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Jurisdiction, Medical Issues, Procedure, Psychological Issues, Research & InvestigationRecently, a family law expert, Henry Gornbein, wrote an editorial for the Huffington Post dealing with the effect of medical marijuana laws on custody disputes. The article concluded with a discussion about how even in states where medical marijuana is legal, a spouse possessing a valid medical marijuana card should still refrain from partaking while… Continue Reading
Teenagers and Divorce: What You Can do to Help Them Cope
Posted in Children, Communication, Divorce, Educational Resources, Psychological Issues, Relationships, SeparationThe following guest post is from fellow family lawyer, John Irving: Divorces are hard on everyone, but they can be especially hard on children for a number of reasons. Teenagers and divorce can be especially difficult to navigate, as studies have shown that teenagers and their fathers aren’t especially close following a divorce. But you can… Continue Reading
Five “Do Not’s” for Those Going Through Divorce
Posted in Assets and Debts, Communication, Divorce, Financial Issues, Practice Tips, Psychological Issues, Relationships, Research & Investigation, Separation, TechnologyThe Huffington Post recently published a list of five tips for men going through a divorce. However, a quick look reveals that the tips are applicable to any parent embroiled in the difficult process. In addition to the tips listed below, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced South Carolina family law attorney… Continue Reading
How Counseling Can Save A Marriage from Divorce (and How it Can’t)
Posted in Communication, Dispute Resolution, Educational Resources, Marriage, Psychological Issues, RelationshipsThe following Guest Post is from Aileen Pablo: Many believe that before taking a drastic step, like breaking up a family with divorce, you should first seek counseling. In fact, some states, like Nebraska and Wyoming, are introducing legislation that would make it mandatory to have at least three sessions with a marriage counselor before a… Continue Reading
Be Careful What You Ask For in Family Court
Posted in Attorney-Client Relationship, Child Custody, Children, D.S.S. Issues, Guardian ad Litem, Jurisdiction, Practice Tips, Psychological Issues, RelationshipsI am pleased to publish the following guest post from my friend and fellow Spartanburg family law attorney, Gary M. Frazier: Several years ago I had a prospective client contact me from another state. He had learned that the Department of Social Services had removed his daughter from her mother here in South Carolina and… Continue Reading
How to Talk to Your Kids About Divorce
Posted in Children, Communication, Divorce, Psychological Issues, Relationships, SeparationIf you’re facing the prospect of divorce, one of the hardest things to deal with is likely telling the kids. You worry how they’ll handle the news and fear that they will worry it was in some way their fault or that they will lose the stability they’ve come to depend on. It’s important when… Continue Reading
Tips for Physically or Financially Abused Women Facing Divorce
Posted in Assets and Debts, Child Custody, Child Support, Communication, Divorce, Domestic Abuse, Financial Issues, Psychological Issues, Safety, SeparationWomen that have suffered through an abusive relationship have to do all the same things that any woman going through a divorce would need to do. The only difference is that each step is made more difficult by the looming presence of an abusive spouse. It’s often the case that women in abusive relationships have… Continue Reading
How To Deal With Your New Love’s Ex
Posted in Communication, Dispute Resolution, Divorce, Harassment, Marriage, Psychological Issues, Relationships, SeparationIt’s really easy when meeting your new love’s former spouse to have thoughts immediately turn negative. And while it’s true that some are every bit as evil as you may want to believe, they aren’t always bad news. With that in mind, follow these simple rules to help manage an ex in your life. 1…. Continue Reading
Autism and Divorce: The Hidden Cost of a Diagnosis
Posted in Children, Divorce, Medical Issues, Psychological Issues, Research & Investigation, SeparationAs a recent study showed that the prevalence of autism continues to increase, the question of how a diagnosis can affect a family and a marriage becomes even more important. The unique challenges faced by parents of children with autism can’t be ignored. One study published by Hartley et al. showed that parents who had… Continue Reading
How to Move Forward Romantically Following Divorce
Posted in Divorce, Psychological Issues, Relationships, SeparationAccording to a recent article appearing on Yahoo.com, people emerging from a divorce may not find much like in the dating department immediately thereafter. Though for some who had to go years without any new romance this is not only normal, it’s also healthier than a rebound relationship. New York psychologist Leah Klungness, Ph.D. and co-author… Continue Reading