Bay Area Family Law Blog

Parenting issues can be resolved if you're willing to compromise

On behalf of Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP posted in parenting issues on Thursday, January 16, 2020.

Parents always struggle to be on the same page when it comes to their kids. Whether it's trying to decide on the best school or having true arguments about how to raise their child together to become a positive member of society, conflicts are normal. Even parents who get along well and who agree on most things about raising children may find themselves at odds at time.

Parenting issues are even more common in cases where people have divorced. Why? It depends on the couple, but there could be some frustration or disrepect playing a role in the issues. For example, if one ex-spouse feels that the other is irresponsible and that they aren't being firm enough with their child's care, that could become a major disagreement. Similarly, an ex-spouse who believes the other is too strict may find problems with the way they parent as well.

Things to know about spousal support in California

On behalf of Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP on Saturday, January 11, 2020.

Are you getting ready to work through the divorce process? Are you wondering what it is you'll be able to walk away with? Are you particularly worried about paying or receiving spousal support? If you are, you are not alone.

Spousal support is not something offered in every divorce case. There are certain factors the courts look at before granting an order of support. What are these factors? If given, how long will the order last? Can you ever change an alimony order?

Set up a cohabitation agreement and protect your interests

On behalf of Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP posted in family law on Thursday, January 9, 2020.

If you and another person want to live together but aren't going to be married, one kind of protection that you might want to look into is a cohabitation agreement. This agreement, also known as a "living together" agreement is a legal document that you should carefully consider because it allows you to safeguard yourself and to protect your individual interests and assets.

When you're unmarried and living together, the reality is that it's easier to split up. You may end up separating eventually, but you won't have the same protections as you would during divorce. To help eliminate the risk of separating and losing what is yours, you may want to sign a cohabitation agreement.

Provide support for your child after your divorce

On behalf of Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP posted in parenting issues on Friday, January 3, 2020.

One thing should be clear about divorce, and that's the fact that it can have a negative psychological effect on children. Even if the divorce itself is relatively calm and collected, children may still suffer from the changes that they face. They have a lot of emotions to process, and they may need support to bounce back.

Divorces are stressful for all children, but some bounce back faster than others. Why? It all comes down to handling the psychological effects that are having a negative effect on the child.

3 tips for a better high-asset divorce

On behalf of Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP posted in high-asset divorce on Thursday, December 26, 2019.

You have a lot of money invested into your marriage, and it makes sense that you'd be worried about it. California is a community property state so that means that your marital property is likely to be divided right down the middle. If you're the one who has invested the most into the marriage, this can be terrifying and frustrating.

Fortunately, there are some tips to help you get through your high-asset divorce. Here are three to consider.

Strict or coddling? Neither is great for kids during divorce

On behalf of Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP posted in parenting issues on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

Parenting issues often come up during divorces, because children are often struggling to understand what's happening and how to cope. During a divorce, parents usually take one of two stances.

One is to coddle their children, hoping that being overly attentive and giving their children all they need will take away the pain or frustration of the situation. Another is the complete opposite. It's an authoritarian approach in which the parents believe their children should "get on with it" and move forward, just like they are.

Kids can adapt to divorce if parents help them adjust

On behalf of Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP posted in family law on Thursday, December 12, 2019.

As a parent who has a goal of making divorce as comfortable as possible for your child, you may have started looking into others' stories or tips for how to help your child get through this. The trouble with that is that there's a high likelihood that you've seen some of the worst outcomes and worst situations that could take place.

Looking at the cases that have gone wrong and the children who have suffered is hurtful, and it can make it hard for you to deal with the situation. Fortunately, most children do adapt to divorce well, and, as long as you're trying to reduce conflict, grow up with good coping skills.

The holiday season could lead to more divorce filings

On behalf of Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.

The holiday season can be difficult and stressful, and for some people, it can lead to problems in their marriages. This is why people frequently choose to move forward with divorce at some point during the holiday season. In fact, there is an increase of divorce filings this time of year, and you may be at a point where you think this is a beneficial course of action for you as well.

Some people may experience a significant amount of pressure during the holidays. There are presents to buy and events to attend, and this can add even more strain to a relationship that is already having trouble. Financial troubles can also be more prominent this time of year. You are probably aware that money and disagreements over finances is one of the leading causes of divorce.

Are you a snowplow parent?

On behalf of Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP posted in parenting issues on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

There is a new kind of parenting trend that has made waves; it's called snowplow parenting, and it's something that you and your spouse may be accused of if you can't let your child handle any kind of obstacles on their own.

A snowplow parent is one who removes all obstacles from their child's path. The parent does this out of love, hoping to prevent their child from suffering through discomfort. The parent intervenes, which, at the time, may be of benefit by resolving problems without the child going through a conflict. Later on, though, the child may struggle with knowing how to cope with conflict or obstacles, so this parenting style can truly hinder their development.

What should you remember about divorcing with children?

On behalf of Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP posted in family law on Thursday, November 28, 2019.

As a married couple, you and your spouse simply did not work well together. You had different ideas about how to raise your children, when to spend and save money and your roles in the household. As a result, you've both decided to get a divorce.

While your divorce is amicable, you know that it can have a negative impact on your children. That's why it's smart to think about how your actions will affect them before you decide on the steps to take next.