The Many Benefits of Mediation
Divorce can be expensive and filled with conflict, but it does not always have to be. For those willing to work together and avoid a lengthy legal battle, mediation can be a great option, and can help you save time, money, and emotional energy. If you and your spouse can agree to be amicable during the divorce process, and are hoping to reach an agreement outside of a courtroom, consider mediation. At Abear Law Offices, we believe mediation can be beneficial for a number of reasons. Take a look at a few of the many benefits of mediation when deciding which divorce method to pursue.
Financial Tips for Gray Divorce
Divorce can be a burden, both emotionally and financially. For those over 50, likely preparing for retirement, divorce can be financially destructive. Retirement plans can quickly unravel, assets can disappear, and many late in life divorcees, especially women, find themselves in poverty post divorce. Late in life divorces, often referred to as gray divorces, are on the rise in America. For those ages 55 to 64, the divorce rate has doubled since the 1990’s, and for those 65 and older, the rate has tripled. Today, around one in four couples over 50 years old divorce, and it is more important than ever that late in life divorcees plan accordingly for their future finances.
Helping Children Cope with Divorce
Often likened to a death in the family, divorce is one of the most stressful events a person can experience in their life. Even an amicable divorce can be difficult to cope with. Add children into the mix, and matters can get even more complicated. For children, divorce can be a very stressful and emotional experience. To a child, parents separating can feel like the end of the world. They may fear the future, worry that they will never see one of their parents again, or feel responsible for their parent’s split. Fortunately, children can and do recover from divorce all the time. While the divorce period itself may be rough, and the transition from a single household to a co-parenting situation can be challenging, your children will recover. In the meantime, here are a few dos and do not’s for parents hoping to help their child cope with the news of their divorce.
Pope Francis Calls for Softer Stance towards Divorced Catholics
For those practicing Catholicism, divorce can be difficult. According to the Church, marriage is an unbreakable bond, and in the eyes of God, those who divorce without receiving an annulment and then remarry are living in sin. Additionally, Catholics who divorced and remarried through a civil ceremony are not eligible to receive communion, leaving many divorced and remarried Catholics across the world feeling rejected by the Church. Catholics who do divorce and remarry commonly seek out another Christian denomination instead.
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Divorce and Social Media Use
Using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter is almost second nature to Americans. If you are going through a divorce, you may be inclined to post on social media, but there are real concerns, both legal and emotional, that you should be aware of when using social media. Do you need to unplug completely? No, but there are some potential consequences to be aware of. Before posting an update on your divorce, educate yourself on the potential legal and emotional issues you may face.
Domestic Abuse and the Elderly
Domestic abuse takes many different forms. Abusers commonly employ a variety of tactics, both physical and psychological, to exert their control over their victims. While help is available for those suffering from domestic abuse, many never seek help or even report the crimes committed against them. Unfortunately, seniors in America are frequently the victims of many forms of domestic violence and abuse, and many of them suffer in silence. Only one out of every 24 cases of domestic abuse against seniors is ever reported. What is elder abuse, and why is preventing it so important?
Blended Families: Tips for Building a Relationship with Stepchildren
Developing a relationship with your stepchildren can be difficult. While you may be excited to be a new member of the family and make connections, your stepchildren may see you as a reminder of their parent’s divorce. They also may also view you as a sign that their mother and father are not going to reunite. Through sensitivity and patience, however, you can start building a healthy relationship with your new stepchildren. Here is how:
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About to Divorce? Consider Mediation
If you and your spouse are considering a divorce, you may not know how best to proceed. Hiring an attorney can be expensive, but the divorce process is complicated, and going it on your own could lead to costly mistakes. What is your best option? If you and your spouse are willing to work together through your divorce process, and are hoping to keep your case out of court, consider mediation. Through mediation, couples can amicably reach a divorce agreement they both agree upon, without the conflict and expense of a typical litigated divorce. As an added plus, mediation typically tends to take less time, allowing couples to quickly finalize their divorce and move on.
Study Reveals Young Americans Less Accepting of Divorce
Every so often, the US government surveys thousands of teenagers and young adults, gathering their opinions on changes to American family life. They ask respondents for their thoughts on a number of matters including single parenting, cohabitation, gay marriage, and divorce. This year’s data, released recently by the National Center for Health Statistics, may surprise people. While younger Americans are becoming increasingly more accepting of gay relationships, single parenting, and cohabitation before marriage, they are less accepting of divorce when compared to past generations. Divorce has become more common with each new generation of Americans, and now around half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. Why this sudden shift in opinion?
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Children: The Often Forgotten Victims of Domestic Violence
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, some 10 million children in the United States are witnesses to domestic violence between their parents or guardians each year. Parents often believe that children are not affected by domestic violence occurring within the home, but that assumption could not be more false. Even if a child does not witness the abuse in person, simply living in an abusive environment can be harmful. In fact, domestic violence within a home can affect children in many negative ways. Children living around abuse are more likely to be abused themselves, become abusers later in life, and may suffer from many other emotional and behavioral problems.
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