Sometimes families have to make hard decisions about the care or guardianship of an elderly family member whose physical or mental health has declined. In the worst cases adult siblings end up battling each other in court and then a judge makes the decisions. A much more constructive approach is working with a mediator to […]
Mediation can help a couple or a larger set of members of a family develop a plan or agreement about resolving a variety of issues. Some examples: how to handle the family budget (save or spend? spend on what?), how teenagers and and their parents can co-exist in a way that makes the parents sure
Family Mediation Can Help with a Wide Variety of Issues Read More »
by Virginia L. Colin, Ph.D. and Rebecca A. Martin, CPA Divorce can be tough, scary, and expensive. You have to deal with emotional issues, financial issues, and legal issues. If you have children, you also have to address their needs. The authors show you how to • set the stage for an inexpensive divorce,
The Guide to Low-Cost Divorce in Virginia Read More »
These lists may be used when you are figuring out the terms of a divorce or figuring out how to manage the family’s finances while staying together. Assets include: • Real estate • Bank accounts • Stocks and Bonds (brokerage accounts) • Pensions • Retirement accounts • Cars, boats, and other vehicles • Jewelry • Household items • Furniture, computers, and phones Debts include:
Assets and Debts — What You Own and What You Owe Read More »
Colin Family Mediation Group (CFMG) has seven certified, professional family mediators ready to help families in Virginia resolve disagreements and stay out of court. Our primary mission is to help family members solve problems. We can help people with a wide variety of issues. These include custody and visitation plans for unwed parents, child
Often I meet parents who do not know that they can get the help they need from a family court* even if they cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Please do not misunderstand. Almost any time you need a court to make a decision about your child’s wellbeing, it is good to seek advice
Sometimes You Do Not Need a Lawyer in Family Court Read More »
Once I read a news article that said divorce is so expensive that many low-income Americans cannot afford it. Although this may be true for some extremely poor people, almost any pair of spouses who can afford to live apart from each other can afford to get divorced. In Virginia, a little time with
Too Poor to Get Divorced? Unlikely. Read More »
At work, in your neighborhood, and in your family, you may from time to time run into a dispute that matters. You may want to negotiate with the other party about solving the problem. My work consists of facilitating negotiations, so here are a few tips. 1. If, like many, you have a win-lose
Tips for Negotiating Successfully, Part 1 Read More »
Most mediated Parenting Agreements address at least three topics: decision making, the parenting schedule, and child support. The first, whether one parent will make most of the decisions alone or the two parents will confer with each other when making major decisions about the children’s care and upbringing, is sometimes labeled in court as legal custody.
Topics in Parenting Agreements Read More »
A divorced dad once told me how he thought about child support. “My ex-wife committed the crime of taking my child away from me, and now I have to pay her for it.” I get it. That is how it feels to a non-custodial parent who never wanted the spouse and child to stop living
