CO-PARENTING AN ADOPTED CHILD

As if divorce isn't hard enough, it can be even more complicated when you are trying to work out custody of an adopted child. Adoption often makes the situation emotionally more difficult for the child, and may make you concerned about what your rights are.

 

Legal Rights

If you and your spouse adopted your child together, or if one of you did a step-parent adoption, you may be wondering how the adoption impacts custody. Technically, it doesn't. If you are both legal parents, you both have equal rights in the eyes of the court. If one of you is also a biological parent though, there's a good chance the court will take that fact into consideration when making a decision. It's unlikely a court would award custody to a step-dad who recently adopted the child over her bio mom, however it is possible because the decision is always made based on what is in the best interests of the child. If the bio mom is shown to be a poor parent, custody could certainly be given to the adoptive father.

To continue viewing this article by Brette Sember please click the link provided below:
http://www.womansdivorce.com/adopted-parents.html

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

CHILDREN AND DIVORCE

Children are the innocent victims of divorce. They become the center of battles over child custody, support, and visitation. Worst of all, the lines are drawn between the two people they love the most - Mom and Dad.
Divorce affects a child in ways that parents don't always consider. They face losing the only lifestyle that they've ever known. In it’s place are week-end visits with Dad, living with a stressed out Mom, and having reduced resources for everything they used to do. You can't change this fact, but you can give your children unconditional love and support to help ease their adjustments.

To continue viewing this article by Tracy Achen please click the link provided below:
http://www.womansdivorce.com/children.html#ixzz2LUNYem3G

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

PARENTING

Children are more capable of adapting to parental separation if their parents function effectively. Each parent will develop his or her own style of parenting, and each parent should be tolerant of the other’s parenting style with respect to that parent’s ability to make day-to-day decisions when the children are with him or her.

To continue viewing this article on divorcesource.com please click the link provided below:
http://www.divorcesource.com/ds/newyork/parenting-4906.shtml

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

BEST WAY TO TELL YOUR KIDS ABOUT DIVORCE

You may have decided to call your marriage quits, but is your child ready for it? Are you ready to tell your child about the legal separation? Of course not! The thought of telling your child about the divorce is definitely unnerving one. It can make you anxious and tongue-tied, but telling your child the news as soon as possible is also important. The worst part about breaking this news is, informing your children about their future home and the single parent who will be looking after them. So, when everything around you is so stressful, what is the best way to tell your kids about divorce? Children often blame themselves for parents parting ways. It takes them a while to come to terms with the fact of living with only one parent. However, if the process of divorce is conveyed to kids by you and your spouse, before the divorce it will help in salvaging your bond with your kids.

 

To continue viewing this article by Mukta Gaikwad please click the link provided below:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/best-way-to-tell-your-kids-about-divorce.html

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

25 TIPS FOR PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE GETTING A DIVORCE

Here are some do's, don'ts, and tips to help you handle things when your son or your daughter says, "Mom and Dad, I'm getting a divorce."

1. Don't become personally involved in your child's divorce.
2. Don't ask your friend, the lawyer, to represent your son or daughter.
3. Don't go to meetings between your son or your daughter and his or her lawyer.
4. Don't let your son's or daughter's divorce affect your relationship with your other children.
5. Don't interfere with your son-in-law's or daughter-in-law's visitation rights with your grandchildren.

To continue viewing this article by Laura Johnson please click the link below:
http://www.smartdivorce.com/articles/twenty.shtml
For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

HOW TO NOT TALK TO AN EX

Renee Marcelle is highly skilled in assisting parties with mediating their dissolutions. She has completed over 40 hours in mediation training and 16 hours in advanced mediation training.

How does divorce mediation work when you don’t even want to be in the same room as your soon-to-be ex-spouse? Mediators have specific skill sets to get people to communicate who can’t stand each other so they can make important life-altering decisions. A mediator can take some of the drama out of the divorce, keep you focused on the issues at hand and allow you to move forward. You may never have to be in the same room again with your ex-spouse, if you so desire. Tolerating a little bit of face-to-face negotiations during mediation can go a long way towards not contending with him/her for the rest of your life. Agreements made during mediation tend to be followed and couples tend to not return to court to amend any agreements. So, deal with him/her now and you won’t have to face him/her down the road again.

To continue viewing this article on the Divorcesource.com please click below:
http://www.divorcesource.com/ds/newjersey/how-to-not-talk-to-an-ex-4908.shtml

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

HOW TO DEAL WITH SADNESS AND LONELINESS AFTER DIVORCE

Divorce is traumatic, and the broken relationship signals the loss of all your commitments and promises you had made together for your future. You may or may not have wanted it to happen, but the chain of agonizing events it triggers can be hard to deal with. When you got married, you always thought you would spend the rest of your lives together. Never once did you believe that the union would end in a bitter breakup. But life doesn't always turn out to be a bed of roses. Divorce can be all the more painful when children are involved, for them the absence of a parent from their lives can be very hard. A negative outcome of divorce can be insecurity and the inability to put your faith in the persons you love. This means harboring a twinge of resentment in your heart, and keeps you from opening up to the people who want to help you out in your time of need. This will only plunge you deeper into depression and not help you in getting on with life.

 

To continue viewing this article at Buzzle.com please click the link provided below:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-deal-with-sadness-and-loneliness-after-divorce.html

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

HOW TO COPE WITH DIVORCE

As much as we all hope for a carefree life, there are going to be events that change life forever. Nothing stays the same, change is inevitable; but sometimes the change is unexpected and unpleasant. It might be just a move to another town or country; it might be a divorce, or death of a spouse or child. How can we cope with this type of change and organize a whole new way of life?

To continue viewing this article written by Judy Brown please click the link provided below:
http://www.womansdivorce.com/how-to-cope-with-divorce.html#ixzz2LIcCQxrO

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

When love does not endure, the inevitable question arises: Is it time to break up? In the United States the divorce rate tells us that about 50% of all married couples at some point do untie the knot. But as anyone who’s ever done it knows, breaking up really is hard to do, which is why so many people lie, cheat, and suffer to avoid it. The Normal Bar confirms this, showing that a quarter of partners are anywhere from unhappy to extremely unhappy in their relationships, yet they continue year after year, telling themselves, “This is as good as I’m going to get,” or “This is just the way it is.” These people may be unhappier than they need to be, since even a devitalized or disappointing relationship can be made better—a lot better.

To continue viewing this article on the Huffington Post please click the link provided below:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/16/should-i-stay-or-go-the-n_n_2696934.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

THE 5 WORST MISTAKES WE MAKE DURING A DIVORCE

Divorce can be one of the most stressful events in life, second only to a spouse dying. In fact, a divorce can become such a complicated and nasty affair that many people have joked that a spouse dying is a less stressful event because at least you don't have to fight the deceased in court!

The point to be made here is that during this time of stress and duress we are no longer thinking with our brains, but instead with our hearts. Normally a pure heart will win the day, but a heart which is ruled by the pain, sadness and anger of a divorce will exhibit pure emotion -- often in an illogical and dangerous fashion.

To continue viewing this article by Dr. Jeff Gardere please click the link provided below:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-jeff-gardere/the-5-worst-mistakes-we-m_b_2673256.html

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

HOW TO TELL YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT DIVORCE

Divorce is an emotionally draining situation. The worst nightmare comes true when you have to inform your kids about the legal separation. The best way to tell your kids about divorce is to be honest with them, because rest assured, they are already aware about the underlying tension between their parents...

You may have decided to call your marriage quits, but is your child ready for it? Are you ready to tell your child about the legal separation? Of course not! The thought of telling your child about the divorce is definitely unnerving one. It can make you anxious and tongue-tied, but telling your child the news as soon as possible is also important. The worst part about breaking this news is, informing your children about their future home and the single parent who will be looking after them.

To continue viewing this article by Mukta Gaikwad please click the link provided below:

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/best-way-to-tell-your-kids-about-divorce.html

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

CHEATING AND INFIDELITY: WHAT TO LOOK FOR, WHAT TO DO

Suspicion of infidelity is a horrible thing.

It can cause insecurity, anxiety, fear, sleeplessness, depression, and can occupy your thoughts and mind all hours of the day and night. You begin to speculate: What did I do to drive him/her them away? Did I love him/her them enough? Did I smother him/her? Will I ever trust him/her again? Will our relationship ever be the same? What does the other person have that I don't? After a while your health can suffer and your performance at work can suffer.

And then it starts to affect others. Your children can become aware that something is wrong with Mommy and Daddy, and they too can feel insecurity, anxiety, fear, sleeplessness, and they too will begin to speculate.

To continue viewing this article by Keith L. Walker, please click the link provided below:
http://www.divorcehq.com/cheating-spouse.shtml

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

CO-PARENTING AFTER DIVORCE

Co-parenting starts the day the decision is made to divorce has been made. Even the most amicable divorces need a plan for future co-parenting. Putting your children's best interests first, no matter how much you may dislike their other parent, is the key to co-parenting.

The first thing you must do is decide if you and your spouse are able to talk about co-parenting after the divorce. If you feel you can, that is great. The strongest agreements will come from the two of you. However, if you cannot talk about co-parenting, don't!! Let professionals such a mediators and therapists, assist both of you with co-parenting discussions. This is too important an issue to not be done the right way.

To continue viewing this article by Brian James please click the link below:
http://www.divorcehq.com/articles/coparenting_after_divorce.shtml
For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

COLLABORATIVE LAW

Renee Marcelle has also received extensive training in the area of Collaborative law.  She is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, as well as Integrative Mediation Marin.  She attends regular Collaborative law training events in addition to monthly meetings. 

Collaborative divorce law can be defined as a family law process wherein the two parties agree to avoid court proceedings and avoid any threats of litigation. The parties attempt to reach a fair settlement by way of a series of meetings, including each party and their lawyer.
Early participation by attorneys allows the participants and their attorneys to use the more positive and effective aspects of good lawyering not often seen in proceedings involving litigation, court intervention and even mediation, such as:

• Critical and rational analysis,
• Creative and thoughtful problem solving,
  
• Generating multiple options for settlement,
  
• Maintaining a positive and cooperative environment for settlement, and
  
• Building a foundation for co-parenting, financial security and positive future interactions.

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

FAMILY LAW MEDIATION

There are many reasons to consider mediation when encountered with a divorce situation. Compared to traditional litigation, Mediation is fast, confidential, fair, and more cost effective. In contrast, lawsuits can sometimes take many months, or even years, to resolve which tends to be extremely stressful and emotionally draining. The number of mediation sessions varies depending on each individual case, but the main goal of these sessions is to create a parenting plan that serves in the best interest of the children. If no agreement is reached over the course of the mediation process, and it appears that further sessions will not be productive, the case is likely to be referred back to the court for a hearing wherein the judge makes a decision regarding the most appropriate parenting plan.

The common goals of family law mediation include:

1. Assisting parties in maintaining a smooth transition throughout the marital separation process,
2. Assisting clients in overcoming the emotional and legal obstacles they may encounter during divorce, including those involving child custody, visitation, division of assets, support payments, relocation and devising an appropriate parenting plan,
3. Improving the family structure and dynamics through appropriate communication, and
4. Serving as a neutral third-party between the parties and the legal system by preparing and filing all necessary judicial paperwork.

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

THE BENEFITS OF UNDERGOING DIVORCE MEDIATION

Renee Marcelle is highly skilled in assisting parties with mediating their dissolutions.  She has completed over 40 hours in mediation training and 16 hours in advanced mediation training. 

No married couple dreams of ending their marriage in divorce. Yet, it is believed that 40%-50% of first marriages in the United States end divorce. It is also estimated that majority of divorce petitioners are women. The most common reasons while women file for divorce are infidelity, incompatibility, personality problems, physical abuse, and lack of communication. Divorce is a stressful process. Not to mention its effect on the lives of children.

Divorce provokes a more regressive behavior in children. It also induces the feeling of insecurity, anxiousness, and aggressiveness. Aside from that, children of divorced parents also suffer from low self-esteem, depression, and emotional pain. Divorce can affect the academic and social skills of children. Child custody is another part of divorce that negatively affects children.

To continue viewing this article shown on ezinearticles.com please click the link below:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Undergoing-Divorce-Mediation&id=7492640

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --

MINOR'S COUNSEL

Renee Marcelle completed the requirements for Court Appointed Minors Counsel per the California Rule of Court rules 5.242(c) and 5.242(f) on 3-10-09 and updates the designation with additional training on an annual basis. 

Representation of a child in custody and visitation proceedings requires knowledge of the various stages of child development; communicating with a child at various developmental stages and presenting the child's view in court; recognizing, evaluating and understanding evidence of child abuse and neglect, family violence and substance abuse, cultural and ethnic diversity, and gender-specific issues; the effects of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect on children; and the ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary experts.

 

For more information, contact the Family Law Offices of Renee M. Marcelle at (415) 456-4444, or online at http://www.familylawmarin.com/ --