I have an earlier post about tech-infused breakups, including those that happen by Facebook or by cell phone. Well, proving that the written word has power regardless of what medium it is transmitted through, Yahoo has this story about how passionate text messages sent to lovers can now be used as evidence against you in [...]
Monthly Archive for August, 2009
Parenting Without Conflict
Posted in Divorce, Domestic Partnership, Parenting on Aug 20th, 2009
This story in the Chicago Tribune is about a six-week long class for divorced or separating parents, aimed at helping them focus on what’s best for their children. (Seattle’s King County requires parents to attend a four-hour class…I can only imagine what it would take to put together a six-week long class.) It’s great to [...]
Celebrity divorce, third time the charm?
Posted in Divorce on Aug 20th, 2009
Today’s celebrity divorce news is that Robin Wright and her spouse Sean Penn have decided to divorce. According to this story, they have filed for divorce or legal separation twice already in the 13 years they’ve been married. Will the third time be the charm?
“UPDATE”: If you’re interested, People.com has this story which claims to [...]
Opinions on American divorce
Posted in Divorce, Domestic Partnership, Parenting on Aug 17th, 2009
“Americans Marry Too Much” is the title of this story on Newsweek.com. Andrew Cherlin, a sociologist at Johns Hopkins University, has written a book entitled “The Marriage-Go-Round” that cites Americans’ divorce and remarriage as the cause for disruption in their children’s lives because of a “revolving cast” of parents, step-parents and live-in significant others.
An interesting [...]
Divorce budgeting
Posted in Divorce, Domestic Partnership, Financial on Aug 14th, 2009
Here’s a short version of some divorce budgeting tips. The longer version is here. While not all of these steps may be possible, particularly trying to stockpile savings when going from one household to two, it’s worth considering what steps you can take!
1. Make order of the bills.
2. Organize important records.
3. Determine spending each month.
4. [...]
Mindful love
Posted in Parenting on Aug 14th, 2009
This is a pretty amazing essay by a woman who managed to keep her head on straight despite hearing some of the saddest words one can imagine. Her calm and collected approach worked–amazing.
The title says it all
Posted in Child Support, Financial, Offbeat on Aug 14th, 2009
“Childless man released from child support debt”
I can’t take credit for finding this story, but I will take credit for appreciating it!
As states have gotten tougher and tougher on enforcing child support obligations, Georgia has apparently taken the approach of jailing non-payors.
(By the way, in Washington, Child Support Orders include language that “The Obligor Parent’s [...]
Salvage the good stuff
Posted in Divorce on Aug 6th, 2009
“When a series used to be cute and happy but now awkwardly navigates marital tension and divorce, who wants to watch it?” asks Katherine Nichols in the Hawaii Star Bulletin. I’m standing by my opinion that, despite some of the not-so-wise choices that Jon & Kate are making, their televised experience of divorce is one [...]
Divorce, like cheeseburgers, not recommended for your health
Posted in Divorce, Domestic Partnership on Aug 6th, 2009
This recently story in the New York Times describes the physical health impact of going from being married to being single (whether by divorce or a spouse’s death). Similar to some German research I heard about years ago, the impact of the loss of a spouse is one that lingers. And, apparently, it’s the loss [...]
It’s been a growing trend in America that adults “baby” their pets and consider them to be part of the “family”. I’m no different, although I do realize that the law treats pets as property in family law cases.
This story in the ABA Journal has the legal perspective on a recent court ruling regarding which [...]
Every family situation is different
Posted in Parenting on Aug 4th, 2009
The TodayShow.com has this story about mothers who are “relinquishing” custody. According to my favorite internet dictionary (www.m-w.com), to relinquish is to “withdraw from”, “give up” or “release”. The Today Show piece talks in terms of “retaining” custody. While custody is still in common use as a term, in Washington has embraced the concept of [...]