Questions for Divorcing Couples with a Special Needs Child [VIDEO]
When I’m mediating with parents who have a special needs child, I view myself as being on a “fact-finding mission.” What do I mean by that? In addition to performing my other mediator responsibilities, my role is to gather as much information as I can about the couple’s special needs child, and how that child’s…
My Passion – Helping Parents with Special Needs Children [VIDEO]
Divorces involving special needs children are often complicated and involve more issues than the “normal” divorce. Helping these families is especially rewarding for me. Why?
What is an Uncontested Divorce? [VIDEO]
When couples divorce, they need to resolve important issues related to the ending of their marriage, such as dividing their assets and determining what their parenting arrangements will be. When a couple proceeds with divorce mediation, they’ve chosen to make these decisions on their own, with the help of the mediator. This is referred to as an uncontested divorce.
Divorcing Parents and College Costs
{3:30 minutes to read} One of the most challenging issues for parents who have college-age children is how to handle the costs of their college education. This is a subject that has become more complicated in recent years as the cost of a college education continues to rise significantly. Estimated costs for yearly tuition and room and board for a state-run school are $20,000. Those same costs at a private college are typically anywhere from $45,000 to $80,000 or more.
Teaching Children to Have Healthy Arguments
{2:48 minutes to read}
These increasingly tense political times have ushered in a period of animosity and lack of discourse that is distressing to many people, including those of us who work in the field of conflict resolution. During this past year, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about how we can maintain our humanity and civility while we are constantly being battered (from our President on down) with displays of abusive and self-serving conduct.
What is the Difference Between Co-Parenting and Parallel Parenting?
{3:12 minutes to read} There are two basic concepts that describe the way in which parents raise their children following a divorce. These approaches are significantly different, and in fact, are at opposite ends of the parenting spectrum. One approach is referred to as Cooperative Parenting and the other as Parallel Parenting.
How Should Divorcing Couples Approach Their Parenting Plan Discussions?
{3:06 minutes to read} For couples who have children and are divorcing, there’s no more important subject to discuss than their parenting arrangements post-divorce. As we are working in mediation, my couples sometimes ask if there is a best parenting plan that they should adopt and follow. The short answer to that question is no.…
Mediation Helps Couples Successfully Untangle Their Lives
{1:42 minutes to read} “Never cut what you can untie.” Joseph Joubert, French essayist This aphorism came to my attention recently when one of my colleagues was giving a presentation at our annual conference for the NYS Council on Divorce Mediation. I was immediately struck by the wisdom contained in its 6 simple words.
Divorce Financial Considerations with a Special Needs Child
{4:18 minutes to read} In my last blog, I discussed the governmental benefits that are available to a child or young adult with special needs. When I meet with my couples in divorce mediation, I need to first make sure they understand the public benefits their child is entitled to and then also discuss how these benefits relate to the many expenses (some covered by governmental benefits, some not) that arise when parents are raising a special needs child.
Governmental Benefits and the Special Needs Child
{2:48 minutes to read} In my next blog I will be discussing the various financial issues that affect the parents of a special needs child who are divorcing. Before doing that, however, I first need to describe the basic framework of governmental services and benefits that are provided to children and young adults with disabilities.
