Kern County Family Law Blog

Depression can impact your ability to handle custody matters

On behalf of Law Office of Michael L. Seidman on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.

Navigating the world of child custody is challenging. If you are suffering from any chronic mental health condition, such as depression, you might find that there are times when things get so stressful that you wonder how you are going to make it through it all.

There are two components of child custody that can often prove difficult – living as a single parent and having to communicate with your ex. In order for you to avoid going down the dark hole of depression, you have to make decisions now about how you will arrange your new parenting arrangement.

Children's reactions to divorce may depend on age

On behalf of Law Office of Michael L. Seidman on Monday, August 27, 2018.

As you move toward divorce, you turn your attention to the kids. You have read about how hard divorce can be on children, and you'd like to shield them from that.

This mindset carries over into the divorce itself. You resolve to work with your ex to come up with a parenting plan that really puts the children first. You put their needs ahead of your own. However, you also realize that this process needs to start before you even officially split up. It needs to begin in the home, as you move closer to the end of your marriage.

Divorce is a time for new financial decisions

On behalf of Law Office of Michael L. Seidman on Tuesday, June 5, 2018.

When you are going through a divorce, you can take the opportunity to revamp your entire life. Your finances are one of the areas that you might want to think about changing. You will be the sole adult to make the decisions about where your money goes. Plus, you will have the only income coming into the home.

There are a few things that you can do to protect your finances. Even if you think that you will be fine, you should take these to heart because you never know what is going to happen during the divorce or the time after it.

Protecting your time and relationship with your child

On behalf of Law Office of Michael L. Seidman posted in blog on Monday, March 5, 2018.

As a parent, you know that the time you spend with your child is some of the most precious time you have. Unfortunately, in a co-parenting situation, respecting each other's parenting rights and preferences is often very difficult. Many parents find that the first year of living under a custody order is very difficult, and few parents manage to follow the guidelines of the order perfectly. This is normal, and it is often wise to give each other grace when conflicts arise, for the sake of your ongoing relationship with the other parent, and for the child that you both love.

But, some parents engage in truly unacceptable behavior and actually violates the parental rights of the other party, which may come with legal consequences. If you believe that your child's other parent violated your rights, don't hesitate to consider the legal options you may use in response. An experienced attorney is a strong resource you can use to understand your legal options and examine your circumstances to keep your rights secure.

What will happen to my retirement savings in my divorce?

On behalf of Law Office of Michael L. Seidman posted in blog on Thursday, November 30, 2017.

Every couple who has been married for a long time will have a different situation as it applies to their retirement savings. In some cases, the couple will not have any retirement savings at all. In other cases, both spouses will have their separate IRA, 401(k) and investment accounts. In still other cases, one spouse will have the IRA or 401(k) in his or her name, and the spouses will share several other investment accounts in their joint names.

Regardless, if you or your spouse have retirement savings held in any investment account, the task of dividing these assets can be complicated.

Keep your children safe and healthy through your divorce

On behalf of Law Office of Michael L. Seidman posted in blog on Thursday, August 31, 2017.

Do you know that it is time to file for divorce, but worry that the strain of the divorce process will harm your children? On the other hand, if you don't bring an end to your marriage, the toxicity of that relationship may hurt your children as much or more than a divorce.

This dilemma paralyzes many parents who love their children very much and don't know how to end their marriage while protecting their children from the unavoidable hurt of the process.

Don’t get hung up on material roadblocks to divorce

On behalf of Law Office of Michael L. Seidman posted in blog on Wednesday, June 7, 2017.

When you and your spouse begin the divorce process, it is easy for the experience to overwhelm you. Few experiences carry such a visceral emotional weight and also such potentially serious material and financial consequences.

It is important to find legal representation that understands what you truly need when you enter into a divorce. Some spouses want to use the divorce as an opportunity to punish their partner for their own hurts and disappointments, and seek legal guidance that seeks the same.

5 key points for moms regarding child custody schedules

On behalf of Law Office of Michael L. Seidman posted in Child Custody on Thursday, March 9, 2017.

Vacations and fun activities abound when your children are still young enough to enjoy doing things. Mothers who have child custody orders governing how their children spend their time must ensure that plans fall in line with the orders. The key here is to plan ahead for all vacations and special events.

4 things that can prevent divorcing parents from moving on

On behalf of Law Office of Michael L. Seidman posted in Divorce on Monday, December 12, 2016.

When you and your spouse got divorced, you probably said that you wanted to move on. Maybe you smiled and said it to your parents or maybe you shook your head and said it over a drink with your friends. You knew it was crucial for you to move forward and that's what you wanted.

Now, though, you feel like you're not moving forward at all. Your divorce is miring you down. What could be holding you back?

What do kids need from parents during divorce?

On behalf of Law Office of Michael L. Seidman posted in Child Custody on Friday, September 9, 2016.

The divorce process is a highly emotional time. When children are involved, the emotion meter escalates tenfold, with parents left wondering how to meet both their own needs and those of their children. And, regardless of their age, children contemplate whether they played a role in the divorce and often feel the need to choose one parent over the other.

While there is no avoiding the swaying emotions, you can alleviate some of the pain your children are experiencing. Helping your kids maneuver the feelings brought on by divorce means providing stability in the home and putting the children's' needs ahead of your own. The process won't come without some bumps in the road, but these tips can help you and your children cope with these life changes.