Joint Custody

Manhattan Divorce Mediator Discusses Why Mediation Works for Couples with Children

The whole idea of divorce gets complicated with children. Custody of the children after divorce is one of the most sensitive issues in any divorce process. Deciding which of you will take custody of the child is invariably difficult, especially if a third person will have to make that decision for you.

Divorce Mediations Shield Children

In litigated divorce, arrangements for child custody will be decided by the court. Children, depending upon their age and maturity, may be involved with the process and may be required to be interviewed by the court. Too often, sensitive issues on their relationships with siblings, parents and relatives will have to be recollected. This is true when there is a history of child abuse and domestic violence. The process tends to be more painful for children.

In divorce mediations, parents decide the child custody for themselves. A Manhattan divorce mediation lawyer understands that only the parents know what is best for their children. He or she will guide you to make the right decisions compliant with Manhattan divorce and family laws. You can feel reassured and confident that the decisions that you make concerning your children are for their best interest when you work with a specialist familiar with similar situations that have determined what is optimal for the family.

A Manhattan divorce mediation lawyer will help you arrange for child support and the future education of your children, depending on the capacity of the spouses. All of these issues will be discussed privately and confidentially. You do not have to expose your children to the court process. We know that simply being in court is stressful for young children.

Divorce Mediations Allow Customized Parenting

Divorce mediations allow couples to select the terms of custody like visitation, education, health and support of their children. Couples make the decisions together that affect their child’s future.

You could choose either sole or joint legal custody. Sole legal custody allows one of the spouses to make major decisions for the child while joint legal custody allows both to make big decisions. Day to day decisions concerning the child however may be made by the spouse with whom the child resides.

In any case, visitation rights are awarded to the non-custodial parent. A Manhattan divorce mediation lawyer could advice you on the terms of visitation that will provide maximum quality time with the child. Divorce mediations allow you to customize how to go about parenting even after separation. Parents are given the hands-on say on how to plan their children’s future.

Schedule a Consultation with a Manhattan Divorce Mediator Today

Let a Manhattan divorce mediation specialist guide you how to have a hands-on parenting arrangement even after divorce. Contact Sabra Law Group today at (646) 472-7971.

 

 

 

Manhattan Child Custody Lawyer Discusses How Divorce Impacts a Child’s Life

Manhattan Child Custody LawyerNo matter what age a child is, divorce brings dramatic change to the child’s life.

When the child has to adjust between two different households, the absence of one parent while living with the other, it creates a challenging atmosphere in the household. 

Divorce tends to magnify the child’s dependence.  The child that once depended on stability and security is faced with transitioning back and forth between two households and subject to unfamiliar surroundings and happenings. 

Younger children fantasize of the day that their parents will get back together and reunite.  They rely on wishful thinking to deal with the pain associated with the loss of their parents living together. 

After the divorce or even during separation, some parents think it is healthy to celebrate special holidays with the child together, but this only delays the child’s adjustment process.  By giving a child even a glimpse of hope by seeing their parents together again; even if it is just for one day, only gives the child a false perception of reality.

In such an unstable environment, it is important to reassure your child that they will always be well taken care of, that they will always be loved, and that just because the parents are no longer living together, that does not mean that they will be left without the other parent. 

For the child’s sake, it is essential to create an environment that is predictable and provides a sense of security.  Both parents need to work hard to establish routine visitation as well as a familiar home environment so that the child knows what to expect and feel more secure in each household.  By establishing daily routines for the child, it allows the child to feel more in control of their life.  It also provides reassurance that both parents love the child just as much as they did when they were together and are committed to making the new living arrangements work.  

Manhattan Child Custody Lawyer Can Help with Setting Up Proper Visitation Schedules

To learn more about creating a child visitation schedule that provides stability for your child, contact Manhattan Child Custody Lawyer Sabra Sasson at (646) 472-7971.

Manhattan Divorce Mediator Discusses The Importance of Cooperation in Divorce Mediation

Manhattan Divorce MediatorDivorce mediation is only effective if both parties cooperate with each other.  The overall concept of divorce mediation is based on the foundation of being reasonable, transparent, and upfront.  Of course, one’s idea of what is reasonable may differ from others. However, it is the role of the divorce mediator to assist in helping both parties to understand each parties’ interest and generate ideas for possible solutions.

In addition, the role of a divorce mediator is to stay neutral while listening and eliciting the perspectives of both parties.  An experienced divorce mediator will help the parties to generate their own solutions to a problem by identifying the problem, possible solutions and the importance of each possible solution to each party.  This way when the parties make a decision together as to how to solve the problem, they reach a resolution that works for both of them, which is different from making decisions based upon each party compromising and giving something up. 

An important aspect of cooperation means that you take some time to gather the appropriate documents and paperwork that may be required in the mediation process.  Any paperwork pertaining to finances or financial insight is a good place to start: retirement accounts, stocks, bonds, investments, bank accounts, real estate appraisals, and mortgage statements. 

Another important consideration is to acknowledge what your “non-negotiables” are and being prepared to discuss those openly with your Manhattan Divorce Mediator. 

Dealing with a divorce can be a stressful time for both parties as well as the children, although, remaining calm during the process will help you think clearly.   It is important to not make any harsh decisions during mediation, if you are stressed out during the decision making process, it is best to take a moment and carefully evaluate any major decisions that will impact your future as well as your children’s future.

Manhattan Divorce Mediator Offers Free Consultation

If you want additional information about cooperating during divorce mediation or would like to discuss your case, contact Sabra Sasson at Sabra Law Group today for a free consultation today at (646) 472-7971.

Manhattan Child Custody Lawyer Discusses Drafting Child Custody Arrangements

Manhattan Child Custody Lawyer Discusses Drafting Child Custody Arrangements

Child custody is one of the most common contested issues in most divorce cases, which is why the assistance of an experienced Manhattan child custody lawyer is an indispensable part of the process. A parent seeking a custody arrangement needs an assertive advocate to fight for the best interests of their child. It's a difficult process and one that may require a great deal of time. However, it's a fight that most parents don't hesitate to take on.

New York law focuses directly on the welfare of the child. Either parent may apply for custody, and the court will consider many factors before rendering its decision. Some of these factors may include past behavior, which is considered a predictor of future action, and expert testimony. Your Manhattan child custody lawyer can help you determine how to approach an equitable and appropriate custody arrangement.

Most separating or divorcing couples request some kind of shared or joint custody arrangement. Nonetheless, there are situations when sole custody by one of the parents seems like the most appropriate arrangement. Whether joint or sole custody is being sought there is still a great deal of room for negotiation, compromise and even contention.

New York courts make a distinction between legal and physical custody. Parents who agree to a joint legal custody arrangement share equally in major life decision affecting their child. These decisions may relate to the child's education, their religious upbringing, medical care and social activities. Having joint physical custody usually means that the parents have the child under their care in approximately equal amounts. However, any parent who will be providing primary care for the child more than half of the time may be designated as having primary physical custody. This may grant the primary custodial parent certain decision-making rights unless a separate agreement has been made with the other parent.

Even when parents share custody, New York law allows that child support may be paid to the custodial parent by the non-custodial parent. The state defines a formula used to determine how much that support will be.

New York child custody cases are complex, but this complexity allows for many creative solutions. An experienced family law attorney understands that there are rarely one-size-fits-all answers in these situations, and will work to craft a customized arrangement that works. Contact Manhattan Child Custody Lawyer Sabra Sasson at 646-472-7971 to learn more about your options.

Ideal Questions to Ask Your Partner before Saying “I Do”

With ideas about beautiful dresses, elegant reception sites and fantastic honeymoons, it can be easy to overlook the practical considerations of marriage.  However, as unromantic as it may seem, marriage is a contractual relationship between two people and has significant financial benefits and obligations that are created automatically upon marriage.  As such, decisions that each makes can affect the marital unit.  Here are a few questions to ask your partner before you say “I Do.”

What Are Your Dreams and Plans for the Future?

Being clear about your individual and marital goals, discussing them and getting “on board” in support of them before you get married can help lay the foundation for cooperation and positive communication.

Do You Want Children?

The answer to this question is often a deal-breaker for many.  If you want kids and your partner does not, you have a problem.  The reverse is also true.  You should have a clear idea of the answer to this question and whether there is any potential flexibility.  If you both want children, it is important to determine how you plan to raise them, what religion you will raise them as and whether either parent will sacrifice career ambitions to stay home with the children.  If you don’t discuss this before getting married, you may find yourself having tough conversations during a later pregnancy, which may have unintended consequences upon the pregnancy and subsequent birth.

What Is Your Money Management Style?

Many divorces occur because of differences in managing money.  Before you get married, discuss your financial obligations, incomes, assets and liabilities.  Some couples even disclose credit scores and money management styles. This is mandatory if you plan on getting a prenuptial agreement.  While many people are uncomfortable talking about financial matters, it can be exciting to explore the options that the two of you may have once you join together after marriage.

What Is Your Retirement Plan?

Ideally, your marriage will last for the rest of your life.  As such, it is important that you each know how you plan on spending the last chapter of your lives together.  Someone who plans on retiring early may cause an issue for the other spouse if he or she has to continue working.  For example, if you plan on having a baby with your spouse in a few years and he or she wants to quit working to care for the baby and enter early retirement, how will this affect your financial outlook? Do you plan to continue to reside where you currently are living or might you consider relocating?  Do you plan to travel?

These questions are merely starter questions to consider before making the official decision to tie the knot.  Getting married is exciting, it is also a big responsibility.  You wouldn’t buy a car without researching the mechanical and safety standards as well as having car insurance in place, why would you make a lifetime decision without considering all of the relevant factors such as compatibility, financial, and health in addition to the romance part.

If you would like to learn more about the kinds of questions and conversations to have with your significant other before saying “I do” or if you know that a prenuptial agreement is right for you, then contact an attorney at 646-472-7971 now.

Brooklyn Child Custody Lawyer Discusses Joint Custody

Brooklyn Child Custody LawyerDetermining If Joint Custody Is A Good Idea For Children Or Not:

The most important factor for children's well being during and after divorce is limiting the amount of conflict between parents.  Children desire to have love and approval from both parents and need to have a peaceful environment to feel safe and secure. 

Due to the fact that children need the support and presence of both parents in their lives, family courts in New York City and across the nation have been encouraged to order joint custody arrangements (except in circumstances where joint custody would not be in the best interest of the child).  Even though joint custody certainly has its benefits, there are situations in which joint custody can be a drawback.

One of the disadvantages for some children is that they feel torn, and having to rotate from one home to another for the purposes of visitiation only amplifies the situation of separate living arrangements.  

When children are put in the middle of parents who do not get along, a joint custody arrangement may not be in the best interest of the children. An essential part of parenting requires effective communication and cooperation amongst both parents – and we provide a 7 week parenting course which teaches parents effective parenting techniques.  

Brooklyn Child Custody Lawyer Offers a Free Consultation On Joint Custody Arrangements

If you are facing divorce and have children, child custody and visitation arrangements can be some of the most difficult matters to work through during the divorce process. It is imperative that you hire a Brooklyn child custody lawyer that has the best interest of the children in mind.

Contact Sabra Law Group today at today at 646-472-7971 to schedule your free consultation on joint custody arrangements or any other divorce and family law matters.