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These divorce papers are a downloadable online kit that includes:

- No Fault Uncontested Divorce Forms
- Marital Settlement Agreement

“In the best interest of the child” or “child’s best interest” is the famous mantra of the family court, which is prevalent in child custody proceedings today, yet its interpretation by the family court or judges is often arbitrary and its meaning is still obscure. Moreover, the law regarding child custody varies from state to state leaving no uniform legal position regarding what is in the best interest of the child. Some states have a preference and presumption towards joint custody while others do not. Some states are amending its law to adopt a preference and presumption for joint custody while others are amending its law to allow joint custody only when the parents agree to it.

Like most states the standard for child custody determination in California is the overall best interest of the child such that it assures the “health, safety, and welfare” of the child and “frequent and continuing contact” with both parents. However, California does not establish a preference or a presumption for or against joint custody or custody to one parent and therefore leaves the parenting plan decision up to the discretion of the family court or a judge. In 1979, California adopted a presumption for joint custody, but later amended the law in 1994 to allow joint custody only when the parents agreed to it. According to the American Bar Association website, other states such as Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Vermont, and Washington also adopted laws in favor of joint custody, but only when the parents agreed to it. Other states such as the District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Texas, have laws favoring a presumption for joint custody. In a few other states, joint custody is not specifically authorized.

Regardless of each states position for or against a presumption or preference in favor of joint custody and whether or not it has been specifically authorized, overall there appears to be a growing trend in favor of joint custody and more and more bills being introduced to adopt a presumption for joint custody being in the best interest of the child unless certain circumstances apply, such as convincing evidence that a parent is unfit or it would not be in the best interest of the child to award joint custody.

If you are involved in a child custody dispute, whether it is the initial child custody determination or a child custody modification, you would be wise to consult a family law attorney in your jurisdiction to help you learn what the law and standard for custody determinations is in your area and how it applies to your specific situation. Further you will want to learn what factors the court will consider in determining the best interest of the child so you are fully aware of your child custody rights and responsibilities.

Copyright © 2007 Child Custody Coach

Child Custody Coach supplies information, online materials, and coaching services to parents in the field of child custody, namely, divorce, child custody and visitation, child custody evaluations, 730 evaluations, parenting, and all issues related to child custody and divorce. “How to Win Child Custody – Proven Strategies that can Win You Custody and Save You Thousands in Attorney Cost!” is a unique child custody strategy guide written by The Custody Coach and made available by Child Custody Coach in an easy to read, understand, and apply E-Book format. Custody Match is an online consumer and family law attorney matching service to help you in your search for the right attorney for your divorce or child custody case. Custody Match can help you find the right family law attorney, divorce lawyer, or child custody attorney in your area.

Houston Business Valuation and Texas Business Valuation Services

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- Buy & Download Divorce Papers – With Children
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These divorce papers are a downloadable online kit that includes:

- No Fault Uncontested Divorce Forms
- Marital Settlement Agreement

It is a sad fact that of all Americans who have been married, one out of three has also experienced at least one divorce. With the vast majority of people in America being married one or more times, it is common knowledge that every couple goes through a few rocky patches. Many marital problems can be solved with open communication and a solid commitment to one another. For more serious issues, some couples turn to marital counseling and may find renewed strength at the end of that journey.

Unfortunately, some problems escalate into insurmountable barriers to a successful marriage. Generally these seemingly unsolvable issues stem from one or both partners refusing to address their problems while they are still manageable. Someone’s feelings get hurt, resentment festers, and eventually one spouse detaches emotionally from the other. The further into this cycle a couple is, the more likely they will find themselves in divorce court.

The downhill slide that ends in separation usually begins with communication problems. It may start with keeping secrets, and soon one or both spouses avoid talking to each other about marital problems or possibly even life in general. A failure to communicate with each other indicates a lack of trust, which is the foundation of marriage.

Shortly following a breakdown in communication, a partner may begin to employ personal defense mechanisms that will continue to weaken the marital bond. Stonewalling tactics, being overly defensive, or dismissing the other spouse’s feelings makes healthy conflict resolution impossible. Avoiding conflict or engaging in negative defense mechanisms serves only to poison a marriage.

On the other hand, a spouse may make multiple efforts to address marital problems only to be shut out by the other who is utilizing unhealthy defenses. Eventually the spouse making an effort to correct issues in the marriage will tire of being ignored and may even begin to distance his or herself from the other partner. At this point, it is highly likely that one or both spouses may give up entirely and lose any interest in saving the marriage.

Is there a “point of no return” when a marriage is doomed? Certainly there is. However, that point is different for each couple. The key to saving a marriage is willingness to save it. If one or both spouses have given up on their partnership, there is not much hope. For couples who have not given up, the road to marital recovery requires honesty, communication, patience, forgiveness and commitment. It is a long and bumpy road, but then so is the road to divorce.

If you’re trying to find top divorce lawyers in Austin TX go to Trusler Menduni PLLC. If you’re interested in learning more about other approaches to divorce, you should get a copy of the Collaborative Divorce Audio CD to learn more about this innovative approach.

Consumer’s Guide to Choosing an Austin Divorce Lawyer

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These divorce papers are a downloadable online kit that includes:

- No Fault Uncontested Divorce Forms
- Marital Settlement Agreement

Financial Settlements are one of the primary concerns for most of those ongoing divorce cases, in Austin courts today. Stress adds in when there exists a mortgage involved while settling financial disputes. The couple wanting to have the complete ownership of their home equity in most cases work cynically together. But, if you are resilient, wanting to move ahead with your life independently, a quick sale is the most precise option which generates immediate funds to financially support your decision.

A Quick Sale though convenient as it sounds, becomes more of a snag when couples aren’t amicable and have unrealistic expectations. In some marriages only one spouse handles the payment of the mortgage. Often times during a divorce through whatever reasons, bills go unpaid. The spouse living in the house is then placed in difficult situations in regards to the mortgage. Divorcing couples, mostly are naïve to the real estate market, are not aware of rescue options that are available to save their homes. The end result is a foreclosure, which could have been well prevented.

I am not going to get into the details of obtaining a mortgage. Lets dive into pitfalls of foreclosure. When one Mortgage payment default leads to another and when skipping payments becomes habitually repetitive, the lender would initiate their efforts to take the house back and auction it off for sale, to recover the loan amount. This process of recouping the loss of mortgage is termed as foreclosure. The lender or the banker files a “foreclosure petition” in the local tribunal courts and the legal proceedings are carried forward by the court and county sheriff. If there is no justifiable response from the mortgagee, the county sheriff would carry out the court order for auction and all proceedings from the sale will be disbursed according to the claims arbitrated by the lender.

While foreclosure attempts to reimburse the lender of the loan amount, the mortgagee usually looses out heavily through his credit score. Foreclosure, is the second worst credit nightmare, which can bring down a defaulted mortgagee’s score drastically. So, if you are one who is struggling to make mortgage payments or find yourself in troubling situation due to your divorce, then I would recommend you opt for quick sale. A quick sale can provide you both with cash and salvation from the consequences of foreclosure. One of the safest and easiest quick sales that I know of is a Cashout option. The Troubled Homeowner Organization offers struggling homeowners the ability to have their back mortgage payments paid and cash settlement within days. The Cashout option is known for its reputation to help mortgagee move on with their lives and overcome foreclosure. All kinds of homes, including single-family, multi-family, rundown, dilapidated ones found in poorer neighbourhoods and even those that are danger of repossession can qualify for the Troubled Homeowner Cashout program. Troubled Homeowner is another firm whose business sincerity has helped many mortgage payment defaulters escape a foreclosure sale. You may choose to contact them online, by fully filling out the online form and a Troubled Homeowner representative will be contacting you back to discuss about your mortgage case.

About the Author:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Stopping a Foreclosure during a Divorce in Austin,Tx

Frisco Collaborative Divorce Lawyer Pfister, Borserine & Associates

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These divorce papers are a downloadable online kit that includes:

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- Marital Settlement Agreement

Austin notaries are considered an officer who administers oaths, acts as a witness to document signings, and also administers statutory declarations. The Austin notary will be able to authenticate legal and title documents and perform other duties, within their jurisdiction.

You can find many great Austin notaries in your area or state by browsing through directories located on the major search engines. You can insert the term “Austin notaries “or “Austin notaries” in to the search field and find many to choose from. 

What is a Notary Public?

Austin notaries adhere to the same laws of every state, excluding Louisiana, who adheres to civil law, not common law. The common law notary in Austin and throughout the Unites States of America has limited powers than a civil based notary. There are 4.5 million notaries in the United States and that number far exceeds the rest of the countries.

Austin notaries have capabilities of authenticating documents that have been originated or signed in another country, and will be able to translate the documents for use in the United States

An Austin notary may have undergone special training to enhance the performance of their duties. Many Austin notaries served as an apprentice before they were licensed or commissioned in the state of Texas before they started practicing their profession.

An Austin Notary public commissioned in the State of Texas and throughout the United States is not considered to be an attorney at law unless they have been also admitted to the bar. Some countries do see the title of Notary Public as a law official, in the UK a notary can perform the same tasks as a lawyer. You Austin notary will not act as a lawyer.

Why Do I Need an Austin Notary?

There are many different times in ones life when a notary public will be needed. You can not execute the signing of a will without the use of a notary, Austin notaries are well versed in the legal documents that you are required to sign, such as a will, Power of Attorneys, real estate or property documents, titles, affidavits, deeds, child support, passport, and divorce papers.

The Austin notary will serve as a witness to your signing any legal or important documents. To undergo in to a contract with someone can be confusing, while the Austin notaries can not give you legal advice, they can advise you as to what you are signing.

If you do not understand what you re signing, the Austin notary will not be able to complete the services and by law they are required to wait for you to speak to someone who can make you understand the document before they can allow you to sign.

Austin notaries are informative and accurate; they will be able to assist you in the signing of all your legal documents, contracts, titles, and power of attorneys. You want to find one that is available when you need them, which are why there is a list of Mobile Austin notaries that can assist you by coming to your location to sign the important documents requiring immediate attention due to an urgent nature.

Find a good Austin notary and keep them around, they can be important part of many aspects of our lives.

About the Author:

Ben Jordan is the founder of Mobile Austin Notary a Texas notary and Texas loan signing agent company that covers the entire state of Texas. Rated as one of the top Austin Notary public providers because of their Texas sized customer service and vast experience.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Finding a Austin Notary or Austin Notaries to Help Your Business Grow

Alimony in Texas Pfister, Borserine & Associates

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DALLAS — A surprise court ruling from last week has heated up the gay-marriage debate in the state of Texas. A Dallas judge has permitted a gay couple, who had married in another state, to get a divorce even though Texas has banned gay marriage.
Judge Tena Callahan of the Family District Court ruled in favor of the divorce on October 1, reasoning that the ban violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the right to equal protection. While gay-rights advocates have applauded the decision, opponents are disparaging the ruling.
The two men, known in the media only as J.B. and H.B., married in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2006 and moved to Dallas after one spouse’s company transferred him there in 2007. They decided to divorce last January, but found they could only do so in Texas, since Massachusetts only grants divorces to couples living in the state.
“It’s not fair to make them uproot their lives, move back to another state, wait a year, and then file for divorce,” the couple’s divorce lawyer, Peter A. Schulte, told the New York Times after the ruling.
J.B., meanwhile, viewed the decision less in terms of its legal and social ramifications than in a personal way. “Some have called for this to be a day of victory or a cause for celebration. It is actually a day of great personal sadness, as a chapter to my life ends,” he said in a press statement by way of his divorce attorney. “This is the common ground on which I stand with any person who has faced the end of their marriage.”
But Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott plans to appeal Callahan’s decision. Abbott was successful in blocking a civil dissolution of a gay union in 2003.
And the state’s governor, Rick Perry, supports Abbott’s position. “Texas voters and lawmakers have repeatedly affirmed the view that marriage is defined as between one man and one woman,” Governor Perry said in a statement. “I believe the ruling is flawed and should be appealed… Traditional marriage will be upheld in our state.”
Jon Nelson, a gay-rights spokesperson in Fort Worth, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, “It’s a breath of fresh air that some jurist had enough courage to see discrimination for what it is.”
Currently, the only U.S. states that recognize gay marriage are Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Iowa. New Hampshire will follow suit and legalize gay marriage in January.

About the Author:

Josh D. Simon is the staff writer of Divorce Magazine and www.DivorceMagazine.com which offers information on Florida Divorce and Alabama Divorce.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Texas court rules gay couple can divorce

Dallas Guardianship Lawyers Texas Family Law Attorneys

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These divorce papers are a downloadable online kit that includes:

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To mark her 27th birthday, Britney Spears announced her 2009 tour, set to be her return to music. The 35-date North American & United Kingdom tour, aptly entitled, “The Circus Starring Britney Spears” will be the first tour for Spears in over four years.

With the exception of a few random performances and a short-lived attempt at a “comeback” in 2007, the singer has been relatively quiet when it comes to her career. But over the past few years, Spears’ personal life has been the focus of the media and public’s attention. With a marriage, divorce, birth of two children, rehab, custody battles and countless breakdowns and bizarre moments, people had nearly given up on the pop icon and continually referred to her story as a tragedy. Thankfully, with the help of her father, she got her feet back on the ground and headed back to the studio to write and record her latest album.

“Circus” is Spears’ sixth studio album, but certainly the most highly-anticipated of her career to date. Her kick off single “Womanizer” quickly became her first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 since her debut “…Baby One More Time” in 1998, and gained the status of largest opening-week downloads, with 286,000, according to Neilsen SoundScan.

With the whole world rooting for her, Spears will kick-off her “circus” with opening act The Pussycat Dolls in her home-state of Louisiana on March 3, 2009. With a string of Canadian dates intertwined and a 7-date stretch at the O2 Dome in London, UK, The Circus Starring Britney Spears is set to be a record-breaking revival tour!

About the Author:

ShowTimeTickets.com is an industry leader with exceptional service, competitive prices and an inventory of preferred seating tickets for more than 100,000 events. Our pricing reflects supply and demand in the premium ticket market as we are not directly affiliated with the box office or specific events

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Britney Spears Brings Her ‘circus’ to Town

Morrissey signing at Record Rack in Houston Texas 07/29/1992

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According to Dallas divorce attorneys, there are two different grounds for divorce in Texas. First, there is no fault grounds. Second, there are fault grounds.

No fault grounds include insupportability. According to a Dallas divorce attorney, insupportability basically means that there is discord or conflict amongst the spouses and that there is no legitimate expectation of reconciliation. Another no fault ground for divorce in Texas is that the spouses have been living apart. As a general rule, this means that the spouses had to have been living apart for three or more years prior to the trial on the divorce before a Texas Court. Another type of no fault ground for divorce in Texas is that one of the spouses was confined to a mental hospital. Basically, the spouse in the mental institution had to have been living in a mental institution for three years and there is no likelihood that the spouse will be able to recover.

In Texas, just like there are fault grounds, there are no fault grounds as well. For example, cruel treatment is a fault ground for divorce in Texas. Basically, one spouse must show that they have endured cruel treatment from another spouse.

Another grounds for divorce in Texas based on fault grounds is adultery. According to a Dallas divorce attorney, adultery is when one of the spouses has sexual intercourse with another person, not the spouse.

As a general rule, adultery can be established through either circumstantial or direct evidence. Basically, one of the spouses has to have sexual encounters with another person who is not the spouse. Another fault ground for divorce in Texas is whether one of the spouses committed a felony. This means that the spouse has to be convicted of a felony, been imprisoned for more than a year, and not pardoned. Abandonment is another form of a fault ground for divorce in Texas. Basically, abandonment is when one of the spouses intentionally abandons the other spouse and leaves for more than a year.

If you need more information you need to contact a qualified Dallas divorce attorney to handle your divorce needs. You need to find the best Dallas divorce attorney. James Bell

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These divorce papers are a downloadable online kit that includes:

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As an insurance salesman for many years, it often puzzles me why people don’t buy sensible protection. Why “self-insure” a large risk instead of buying affordable protection? Here is my “Top 10″ list of why people don’t buy insurance.

1. It is not required.

You may be required by a business contract, bank loan or state auto liability requirement to buy insurance, however, in most cases, protection is a choice. No one requires you to buy higher auto liability limits beyond minimum requirements OR to protect your assets beyond the bank lien requirement OR protect your family with Life Insurance. Many people don’t believe in buying something that they are not required to buy regardless of the value.

2. Some Don’t Believe in Insurance

Sometimes a client will only buy the coverage required and then only begrudgingly. They have no belief that the insurance has any value and consider any money spent on it to be a waste. No discussion of their potential risks or how insurance can be helpful will have any impact.

3. Cultural Heritage does not Value Insurance

I have observed a cultural component to buying insurance. Since insurance is a product of the sophisticated, capitalistic economies of Europe and North America, if you are outside of this cultural group, you are less likely to value the protection. My experience has also been that people of recent Asian heritage typically are less focused on buying coverage. My office helps many first, second and third generation Mexican-American’s in our Austin, Texas, community and we can see the progression as each generation becomes more Americanized in their attitude about insurance.

In my experience, the opposite is also true. People of recent English heritage (or English educated) typically are very focused on their potential lawsuit risks and often buy broader protection including higher liability coverage than my average client. This makes sense because of the long history of insurance in England.

4. Uneducated on Their Financial Risk

Many people buying insurance don’t have the experience or understanding of their potential financial risks. For example, one-third of the people in Texas who are uninsured for Healthcare expenses have more than adequate incomes to buy health coverage but make the choice not to. A major injury or illness can cost far more than they realize. I believe that their choice not to buy at least a catastrophic health plan speaks to the lack of understanding of their potential risk.

5. Denial of Known Risks

This is the “it won’t happen to me” self-insurance plan. I see it all the time; clearly understood risks that can be economically insured, but the risk is ignored.

6. Misunderstands Risks

People buy coverage “backwards” everyday. For example, a low deductible on auto collision is purchased but important higher liability limits are not considered. If you understood your risk, the much greater financial risk is a lawsuit after a bad auto accident. The couple hundred dollars difference in your collision deductible is trivial.

Another example is buying Accident protection instead of Life Insurance. Most people don’t realize that you are four times more likely to die of an illness rather than by an accident. Many people misunderstand their risk and think that accidents are more likely.

7. Intangible Product

Beyond a policy document, insurance is an intangible product. It is a conditional contract with a promise of potential future financial benefit, not an automobile or box of chocolates.

8. Confused about Insurance Choices

This is a common problem. Too many choices with too little understanding of the choices are a recipe for confusion. A confused person won’t buy the protection they need.

9. Unfavorable Attitude toward Insurance Companies

Sometimes people know they need to buy protection, but don’t trust that the insurance company will fairly pay claims. Maybe they have had a bad experience or didn’t understand a claim outcome in the past.

10. Lack of Funds

If insurance was free, everyone would buy wonderful protection. The reality is that coverage does cost money and you have to pick and choose what you buy.

David W. Crump, Ross Gray Insurance Agency

I specialize in Business, Health and Personal Insurance sales and service. A graduate of Texas Tech University (BBA Marketing), I began my career in retailing of Toy, Hobbies and Games. I have been a business owner but changed careers to insurance after selling my interest in a Dallas area Game Store Chain thirteen years ago. Hobbies include Gardening, Music (Bass Vocal) and Stock Investing.

See our website at http://www.quoteaustininsurance.com/. Ross Gray Insurance Agency has a 30+ year history serving Central Texas on all facets of insurance. We are located in South Austin at 2404 S. IH-35. We are here to help!

Copyright 2009, Ross Gray Insurance Agency, Inc.

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These divorce papers are a downloadable online kit that includes:

- No Fault Uncontested Divorce Forms
- Marital Settlement Agreement

The “Mythbuster” series I began recently was not created to offend entire groups of people. Moreover, it’s designed to get us thinking about age-old beliefs that are accepted without question by each generation for no apparent reason. So you can save yourself the trouble of sending me hate mail and allow me my right to free speech under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. So much for the obligatory disclaimer and commercial interruption. Now I’ll get to the heart of this subject.

IÂ’ve been a regular church attendee for nearly twenty years: about half of those within the Catholic church system, and the other part with non-denominational types. I participated, in varying degrees, in bible studies, newcomer committees, and programs for RCIA, music, and teens. Also, in administration, fundraisers, hosting home events, and have been an usher and greeter. So IÂ’m not just the typical hit-and-run Christian. Throughout these many Sundays and holidays, IÂ’ve witnessed thousands of the faithful that profess to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. ItÂ’s been an interesting experience that I feel I must share. I call it the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The majority of people with whom I interacted over two decades, were kind, generous, and giving individuals. They cared about their family and friends and would be welcome in any household. One would expect that kind of behavior coming from regular church going, God fearing, people. Therefore, itÂ’s rather surprising and disappointing to report that not all of these people fit that description.

I first was disillusioned by the clergy of the Catholic Church. My wife was told she and I wouldnÂ’t be welcomed into the church because we werenÂ’t married in a Catholic church and that her first marriage would have to be annulled, requiring a letter for her ex-husband. That caused anguish, because we had no contact, and intended none, with her ex. Later, we decided to go anyway, despite the negative reception. We discovered the head priest was a nasty, vindictive, person with a strange and unsettling personality.

I also got to know many of the parishioners and learned that this wasn’t exactly Mayberry. Divorce, adultery, and lechery were as common as in the soap operas on television. Several of the women had breast implants and other plastic surgery and flaunted their newly acquired material. Men were cheating on their wives with other church members. There were people that continuously gossiped about other member’s family troubles. Then they bragged about their own finances, large executive homes, world travel, and their overall social status. There were certain ‘cliques’ of members that clung together, not allowing others to join in their little private club. Other members kept to themselves, never volunteering to do anything church-related. They neither gave a penny during the service nor wanted any part of the social events that were conducted monthly. They were the hit-and-run Christians, that couldn’t wait to get home and leave the service behind. I imagine they also quickly forgot the sermon as well.

The pastor wasnÂ’t immune to this scenario, either. I watched the abuse of church funds that included stealing from the teenÂ’s weekly collection, using offerings for personal travel and luxury purchases, and faulty bookkeeping. It gave me insight into where tithes go and why I wonÂ’t give to most religious organizations anymore. But thatÂ’s my opinion. IÂ’m sure that many religious-based charities do tremendous things for the less-fortunate, including the Salvation Army, which I do donate to. But this is about people and their failures while professing to be walking in ChristÂ’s footsteps.

IÂ’m not a hypocrite. I know IÂ’m not perfect and have a list of faults that good churchgoers might criticize. But thatÂ’s the point. They shouldnÂ’t point fingers when they have plenty of their own to consider. So how can they go to church, pledge to follow Jesus, and then act if they had never been to a service? Many do, but because of their actions outside church, shouldnÂ’t be put on any kind of pedestal. Yet the sad truth is that general public probably still assumes anyone attending church is automatically considered to be a good person. Myth busted!

Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years. He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master’s Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, “Pursuit of the Phoenix.” His latest book is, “Inside the Yellow Pages” which can be seen at his website, http://www.poweradbook.com. Currently, he is the Marketing Director for thenurseschoice.com, a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.

How To Control Your Eyes Pt 1

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What happens to your relationship with your step-children after your divorce from their parent? This is a hard question to answer because the lines are so blurry. Mediation can help.

If step-children have lived with you during your marriage to their parent, you have likely developed a close relationship with them, and perhaps they feel even closer to you than to their natural parent. This is not unusual, especially when there’s been a lot of conflict between the natural parents. Or, you might be the only mom or dad they know.

Blended families may also include children that the two of you have had together. These children consider your step-children to be their brothers and sisters, and often have a strong bond with them.

If you are a blended family experiencing separation or divorce, and there has been a good bond between step-parent and step-children, here are some questions to consider in your parenting plan:

• What will parenting time look like?

• How will this work when the step-children also have established schedules with both natural parents?

• If there are also children from this marriage, how will you ensure that they also get to spend time with the step-children?

• If there are step-children on both sides, do they have a bond with each other that would be beneficial to maintain?

While the courts are pretty clear about establishing parenting plans for children of the marriage, they can vary widely when asked to adopt a plan that includes step-children. The courts are starting to accept the concept that the step-parent can have as deep a psychological bond as a natural parent. And while court-ordered parenting plans involving step-children are appearing more frequently, it is safer to work out your own agreement than leave these important issues up to the unpredictability of the courts.

Mediation is especially helpful in helping couples work through the complexities of maintaining and supporting the relationships that have grown between the parents and children of blended families. In mediation, you have the luxury of trying out many different kinds of schedules that might work for you. And the mediator will help you explore more options when you get stuck.

Creativity is the key. Just as creativity made your blended family work in the first place, creativity can help your blended families ease the pains of separation and divorce.

© 2008, Mary Wollard, J.D., Family Solutions Center, LLC

Mary A. Wollard, JD, is an attorney, mediator, and arbitrator with over 20 years experience in solving the legal issues of divorce, parenting (custody), marital property and support. In addition to helping families through mediation and arbitration, Ms. Wollard provides parenting coordination and decision-making services to families when on-going conflict prevents them from fully implementing their parenting plan after divorce. Visit http://www.cofamilysolutions.com/downloads.htm for free downloadable worksheets you can use to organize your family’s transition.