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The mystique and wonderment behind Santa Claus is what makes Christmas so special for children. From sitting on his lap at the mall and telling him what they want, to writing letters and addressing them to the North Pole, making wishes (and having them come true) is part of the holiday season that children often never forget. Unfortunately, during the throes of a divorce (or a custody battle) one parent may try to hurt the other parent by ruining the mystery behind Santa Claus. Even more troubling, one parent may not want the child to even consider getting gifts from… Read More

Bode Miller has not endeared himself to the public in the past. Labeled a petulant crybaby, he was seemingly wasting his talent, and was sure to be a cautionary tale for others as to how not to conduct oneself. But with all athletes, life goes on, and Miller appears to be growing up. But news about his ongoing custody dispute with an ex-girlfriend is adding to propaganda that he has not changed. In the weeks leading up to a recent hearing in a Manhattan family court, Miller and ex-flame Sara McKenna traded public barbs regarding each other’s fitness for custody.… Read More

Let’s face it, no one actually plans to divorce during the holiday season. There are so many things that are going on (especially for potential divorcees with children) that many people simply try to put on a brave face and slog through the season. There’s a reason that many divorces originate in January. For those who are still in the process of getting divorced, there still is the complicated (and often contentious) exercise of negotiating a holiday parenting time schedule. This process can be troublesome because parents are used to having their children around during the holidays, and can be reluctant to… Read More

The holiday season is for making positive, lifelong memories and enjoying the special magic that comes with the season. Perhaps it is the music that floods shopping malls or the lights and displays that are set in public places. It may also be the joy and surprise that children experience. Whatever it is, people in troubled relationships are reluctant to start divorces during this time of the year and sabotage the positive feelings that come with the holidays. However, despite the wonderful feelings that people may have around them, people who are contemplating divorce may be trapped in their own… Read More

The phrase “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” is more than just a song lyric these days. The holiday season is in full swing (even though Thanksgiving has not come yet) if you have visited a shopping mall lately. Indeed, while holiday shopping isn’t measured until Black Friday, most retailers know that getting consumers into stores early is a recipe for success. For parents going through a divorce or having custody issues, this mentality should serve them well. Essentially, planning early for the holidays should be their focus for a successful season. After all, by getting ideas and preferences out… Read More

When custody and parenting time are contested between divorcing parents, the lengths to which parents may go to gain an advantage (or justify their version of how the judge should rule) may be surprising. The story of a father being accused of being an unfit parent fits into this category. According to a recent HuffingtonPost.com report, a father is being branded as an unfit parent for refusing to bow to the demands of his son. He reportedly offered his five-year-old son a choice for dinner…anywhere but McDonalds, or no dinner at all. The boy chose not to have dinner with his father.… Read More

Recommendations during divorce are just like recommendations for fine restaurants. Everyone is going to give advice based on their own individual experiences. Because of this, if you are going through a divorce, you may get unsolicited advice. Don’t be surprised if someone tells you what you are entitled to (and how they may be completely wrong). When confronted with differing accounts about what you should ask for in the divorce, it is natural to become confused and ambivalent about the entire process. After all, no one looks forward to the emotional battles and turmoil that can come with divorce. With… Read More

The leaves turning colors and cooler temperatures should do more than signify that fall is here. It should also tell you that the holidays are just around the corner. For divorced parents (and those who are separated) the holiday season is arguably the most difficult time of the year. Not only is it difficult to manage expectations for family members, shepherding kids through an awkward period can be tricky as well. To avoid emotional blowups and disappointments, parents should do their best to plan…and plan early. This post will provide a few tips to help parents along. Get the lay of the… Read More

If you have been in a mall lately, you can tell that Halloween is just around the corner. For divorced and separated parents, this is a reminder that the holiday season is coming quickly. With that, there will be costs for costumes for school plays, travel expenses for family gatherings, and of course…Christmas presents. For those who rely on court-ordered child support (as well as those pay such support) the holidays can be trying times. After all, raising a child is quite expensive, and the holidays contribute to the $217,000 to $500,000 most parents will spend in raising a child to age… Read More

In divorces and child custody cases, the issue of child support can be an emotionally charged and contentious issue. On the one hand, a child is expensive to raise. (One study estimated that the cost of raising a child to age 18 to be more than $300,000.) On the other hand, there are some custodial parents who treat support payments like extra income that is not usually spent on the child. This infuriates people who are required to pay support. Nevertheless, it is public policy in the state of Nebraska that both parents are responsible for the financial support of… Read More