Personal short term and long term goals are important to any family unit. What does Mom want to accomplish this year and beyond? What about Dad? Don’t forget the kids, they have goals too – from trying a new sport, improving their skills at a prior activity, doing well in school, etc. Employment changes, large household purchases, a special family vacation should all be considered in goals for either the coming year or future years. Setting these goals as a family can help everyone enjoy them and minimize any stressors that may come with them.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Finances in a Marriage
Setting up a budget as we have discussed in our last two blogs can help the financial stresses that can face a marriage. Married couples who encounter unexpected expenses without the means to pay for them can find themselves in heated arguments. A leaky roof, a trip to the emergency room, etc. should be a time when couples come together to resolve a problem, but without proper financial planning such times can lead to unintended negative consequences.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
What to Do with the Leftover?
If at the end of the last blog, you had a positive amount left from your income less your expenses, you can then decide how to use this discretionary amount. Are there expenses you have that allow you to have things you enjoy? Do you want to put this amount per month toward a family vacation? Do you want to put some into college accounts for children or savings accounts for a large expense? Are you putting any money away toward retirement and can you use some of this money for that purpose? The goal is to have enough income to cover both your necessary expenses as well as have some for these discretionary expenses.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Calculating Your Income
Last blog, we mentioned learning about your household finances, taking responsibility for staying in the know, and managing them with the goal of having some savings. A budget is a good place to start this resolution. Start with your household income. Remember gross income is not what you get to use, take out your federal and state taxes (there are great calculators on line to help you determine this). Now, subtract your fixed monthly necessary expenses: mortgage/rent, utilities (electric, gas, cable, internet, trash, phone, etc) , groceries, car payment, insurance (house, car, health), gas, medical expenses, and other regular expenses. What do you have as your end amount? Stay tuned for our next blog….
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
It's a New Year
It’s January of a new year and for most of us that means it’s time for some resolutions. In our family law practice, we have had the opportunity over many years to hear the resolutions that our clients make and we want to share a few of them with you: (1) Learn about your household finances; (2) Take responsibility for staying in the know about monthly expenses; (3) Manage your finances so that there are savings each month; (4) Communicate with your spouse; (5) Communicate with your children; (6) Have a personal short term and long term plan; (7) Laugh; (8) Be thankful; (9) Exercise your body and your mind; (10) Have a good estate plan.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Working With a Guardian ad litem
Often in custody matters a court will appoint a Guardian ad litem (“GAL”) who is a licensed attorney and serves as the advocate for minor children.
There are Supreme Court of Virginia Rules that provide GALs standards by which they should adhere in their representation of children. GALs also are required to take certification courses due to the unique issues that they face as attorneys for children.
During the process, the GALs often will provide interim guidance as to what their concerns may be. GALs make recommendations to the Court based on facts he or she has learned as to what parental arrangements serves the best interest of the child(ren).
In working as a child’s advocate, the GAL may meet with the children at each parent’s house, at school, or at other locations. Home visits may be scheduled or unannounced.
Some guardians request you to complete a questionnaire and/or to sign authorizations for them to allow them to obtain information about the parent or about your children. Keeping a GAL informed throughout a matter can be helpful and having your attorney checking in with them periodically can be beneficial in seeking your objectives for your children.
There are Supreme Court of Virginia Rules that provide GALs standards by which they should adhere in their representation of children. GALs also are required to take certification courses due to the unique issues that they face as attorneys for children.
During the process, the GALs often will provide interim guidance as to what their concerns may be. GALs make recommendations to the Court based on facts he or she has learned as to what parental arrangements serves the best interest of the child(ren).
In working as a child’s advocate, the GAL may meet with the children at each parent’s house, at school, or at other locations. Home visits may be scheduled or unannounced.
Some guardians request you to complete a questionnaire and/or to sign authorizations for them to allow them to obtain information about the parent or about your children. Keeping a GAL informed throughout a matter can be helpful and having your attorney checking in with them periodically can be beneficial in seeking your objectives for your children.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Working with a Custody Evaluator
In custody cases where issues are raised concerning either parent’s mental, a child’s mental health where then children may be displaying changed or abnormal behavior, possible substance abuse, or other facts that can impact a parent’s ability to care for a child, the Courts may upon motion from either party or upon its own motion require that a custody evaluation be done.
A custody evaluation is usually done by a licensed clinical psychologist with course work, experience and expertise on children and parents in custody situations. They have been trained in particular methodology, including the administration of certain tests, that are directed toward obtaining facts and information to assist a court in making a custody determination that is in the best interest of the child.
Some components of a custody evaluation include; testing of each parent and child; collateral interviews, and clinical observations. The American Psychologist Association has developed standards by which a custody evaluator must perform his or her analysis.
Attorneys may be permitted to talk to the custody evaluator during the process to provide facts and insight; and a custody evaluator may answer the attorney’s questions during the process.
The custody evaluator submits a report, often lengthy, that outlines his or her findings and conclusions. The custody evaluator may also testify and answer questions by each party of the Court.
When the court is considering the number of factors on custody, including but not limited to, the age and physical and mental condition of the child, the age and physical and mental condition of each parent, the relationship existing between each parent and each child, the needs of the child, the role that each parent has played and will play in the future, in the upbringing and care of the child; the propensity of each parent to actively support the child's contact and relationship with the other parent, and any history of abuse, this additional source of information can be particularly helpful.
A custody evaluation is usually done by a licensed clinical psychologist with course work, experience and expertise on children and parents in custody situations. They have been trained in particular methodology, including the administration of certain tests, that are directed toward obtaining facts and information to assist a court in making a custody determination that is in the best interest of the child.
Some components of a custody evaluation include; testing of each parent and child; collateral interviews, and clinical observations. The American Psychologist Association has developed standards by which a custody evaluator must perform his or her analysis.
Attorneys may be permitted to talk to the custody evaluator during the process to provide facts and insight; and a custody evaluator may answer the attorney’s questions during the process.
The custody evaluator submits a report, often lengthy, that outlines his or her findings and conclusions. The custody evaluator may also testify and answer questions by each party of the Court.
When the court is considering the number of factors on custody, including but not limited to, the age and physical and mental condition of the child, the age and physical and mental condition of each parent, the relationship existing between each parent and each child, the needs of the child, the role that each parent has played and will play in the future, in the upbringing and care of the child; the propensity of each parent to actively support the child's contact and relationship with the other parent, and any history of abuse, this additional source of information can be particularly helpful.
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