Making a Parenting Plan As mediators, we help work through all of the legal, financial, tax, and parenting aspects of divorce. During mediation, parenting arrangements (including legal decision making, time-sharing arrangements and child support) must be formulated1 for minor children. We also prepare a comprehensive Parenting Plan which includes provisions for child support payments, as…
Legal separation and divorce in Arizona are very similar, so the decision as to which to pursue can be a difficult one. Regardless of whether the parties will be legally separated or are getting divorced, the former “marital community” that existed between the parties is severed. In both cases, Judges will issue orders regarding asset…
With celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin calling their recent separation and intended California divorce “conscious uncoupling” there has been a lot said in the press about the pros and cons of describing the process involved in getting divorced this way. But in actuality there is nothing new about divorcing couples wanting to avoid…
When explaining community property laws during divorce mediation, clients frequently respond: “But he didn’t pay for any of my new car or the monthly payments. It is all coming from my income – you’re saying that he is entitled to half of its value?” or “So you’re saying it doesn’t matter if she was unfaithful?…
As a mediator I provide divorcing couples with legal information as opposed to legal advice. However, wanting my clients to have additional support from an independent attorney if either one or both of them wants it, I also provide my clients with a list of what I call “mediation friendly” attorneys who can give them…
Few events impact one’s life as profoundly as a divorce. During this time, major life decisions are required related to one’s children, finances and living situation, to name a few. Intense emotions often accompany these decisions and discussions; hurt, sadness, frustration and anger are often involved. So, it is no wonder that divorce is estimated…
1. Agree to put the best interests of children first and foremost in all decision making. Indeed, include this in writing as part of the mediation ground rules, with the understanding that the mediator can remind the parents of this should one or both of them lose sight to it. 2. Construct a cooperative parenting…
Video Transcript Oliver Ross: “The difference between legal separation and divorce (in Arizona) is that the marriage continues in legal separation, where in divorce the marriage ends. That’s pretty obvious. With legal separation, the marriage continues, but the community is separated. In other words, as of a certain date in the court process, each spouse’s…
After a moment’s contemplation, Mary responds: “I tried for a long time. He wouldn’t go to counseling and now he says I’m the one who hasn’t worked on it. I can’t live with him anymore—with his drinking and all. I never know when he’s going to yell at me or the kids.” “Oh sure, Mary….
John and Mary Smith arrive at my office for a pre-mediation consultation. Mary had called to arrange for the consultation, informing my assistant of her intent to divorce John. Just as passengers preparing to travel by airplane select a particular airline, flight, and seat number, people preparing for mediation such as Mary and John select…
August 12, 2013 – Phoenix, Arizona Learn About Phoenix Arizona Child Custody Procedures Video Transcript Oliver Ross, Phoenix Mediator: “Sole custody and joint custody, first of all, have nothing to do with how divorcing parents spend time with their children. It’s been a common misconception that, somehow, sole custody meant that one parent would have…
Video Transcript Oliver Ross, Phoenix Divorce Mediator: “Yes, that’s definitely an option, representing yourself in divorce. When there’s very little, if anything, involved, for example, no minor children, no home involved, no substantial assets or property of any value, not a lot of credit card debt. When it’s really simple, people have represented themselves and…
