Buyer Beware
Not long ago we received an inquiry from a person seeking information about divorce and collaborative practice in Wisconsin. She had already contacted an attorney and while asking the attorney about her options, the response, among other things, included the statement “sure, we do collaborative.”
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Financial Literacy During Divorce
Financial Literacy refers to the skills and knowledge that allow an individual to make informed and effective decisions through their understanding of finances.
It affects all ages and all socioeconomic levels. Divorcing couples with different levels of financial literacy can present challenges throughout the divorce process.
Debra Melvin, MBA, CDFA
Tis the Season: Managing Holidays and Parent Separation
Separation and divorce are often stressful for parents, and learning how to adjust to new routines and traditions can be especially challenging. Further, parents commonly struggle to figure out how to share their children’s time between households; the emotions tied to many family holidays can make difficult decisions even harder.
-Casey Holtz, PhD
When Experts Matter
A recent survey regarding attitudes regarding taxes and tax preparation revealed that a majority of households – 56% actually – relied upon another person or firm to prepare their taxes. This is not surprising given how few of us want to deal with the US Tax Code, a document now consisting of over 73,900 pages according to a national tax reporting service.
-News Editor
A Twist on the Team
Like all good ideas, and other approaches to problem solving, the collaborative process continues to evolve as well.
A recent twist to the process has emerged in Wisconsin. Some professionals refer to it as the “facilitative” model, others prefer to call it the “enhanced one coach” model, and still others have developed their own unique descriptions.
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How to Avoid the Divortex – Part 3
As discussed in previous months, the “divortex” can be avoided by choosing the Collaborative Process. Prior articles describe what Collaboration is – it is a process that avoids court and may use a team of experts to help clients create the best settlement option possible. -Part Three
GUEST BLOG – Audra Holbeck, JD
How to Avoid the Divortex – Part 2
The second definition provides a visual for what many think a divorce “looks like.” While the end of a marriage is emotionally tumultuous and devastating, the actual legal process of uncoupling does not have to be. But, it is critical that you choose a process that promotes healing. The Collaborative Process does just that. – Part Two
GUEST BLOG – Audra Holbeck, JD
How to Avoid the Divortex – Part 1
It’s tornado season, so many of us in the Midwest think of a tornado when we think of a vortex. Regardless of where you live, if you are going through a divorce, this definition might sound like something you experience rather than something you see, and so, the term Divortex seems appropriate. –Part One
GUEST BLOG – Audra Holbeck, JD
What is a “Good” Parenting Plan?
Working as a child specialist, divorce coach, and mediator both in and out of the Collaborative process for the last 15 years, I have seen a LOT of parenting plans. During this time, I have come to feel more strongly about the importance of the flexibility in parenting plans. It is vital that parents realize that the parenting plan will need to be adjusted as children get older and parent circumstances change.
-Josie Cusma, LCSW
Collaborative Divorce or Mediation?
In recent years, some Wisconsin attorneys have expanded their practices to include divorce mediation services. When a lawyer mediates a divorce, the lawyer can give legal information to the couple, but not legal advice. For some couples, legal information is 95% of what they need. Once they understand what the laws say, they feel comfortable working out their issues with the help of a mediator, but without getting legal advice. That’s important, because the mediator has to be neutral between the two of them.
Read more-Rebecca Oettinger, PhD, JD