DIY Divorce in Florida

New Law: Florida Natural Guardians SB 990

Continuing in the 2012 Florida legislative update,SB 990 is our topic today. "Natural guardians" is the topic. This bill covers parental authority to act for your children. Florida has a strong public policy of shared parental responsibility (often referred to as "legal custody"). Both parents must decide the big issues of child-rearing together when parental responsibilty is shared.

But sometimes, sole parental responsibility is ordered. SB 990 specifies that when  parent has sole parental responsibility, the parent with sole responsibility is the "natural guardian" of the child. The new law makes it clear that if neither parent is granted parental responsibility, neither are the natural guardian of the child.

SB 990 was sent to the governor on March 23, 2012. It's effective date is July 1, 2012.

Divorced Parent Telesummit - A Virtual Event for Parents

Even though the Divorced Parent Telesmmit, has ended, you can still get all the valuable information. Best of all, you can get it immediately with mp3 recordings and PDF transcripts.

 
Together my co-host and I have helped hundreds of parents get through the divorce process. But we wondered why some parents continue conflict after the divorce. We wanted to give every divorced parent a chance to benefit from renowed experts who have helped couples at war call cease fires and raise happy children despite difficult divorces. And those experts REALLY delivered!
 
[I]t's the children exposed to conflict, both in marriage and after divorce, that experience some of the most significant problems, according to Philip M. Stahl, PhD. Shelley and I wanted to find an affordable way to bring this

Transitions Between Homes Can be Easier for Your Child

Many clients complain that the children do not want to visit the other parent. Through the years I've heard this complaint a lot. And I'm going to be blunt here.... it is usually due to your actions, conscious or not.

Kids are like little sponges and they absorb what you give off. If you are tense and worried about the time your child will spend with the other parent, your child is likely to become tense and worried too. Some kids even try to avoid going to the other parent's home because they are worried about you being alone. That is not their job - you are the parent.

Think about how you can create a peaceful transition for your child.  How can you prepare your child for the upcoming time sharing so that it is a stress-free experience? Here are some suggestions from Ellen Kellner, author of The Pro Child Way:

• Avoiding interruption and encourage being prepared: remind your child of upcoming visits—make this a continual cycle of conversation.  Use positive words and smile. 
• As the visitation time approaches match your actions to your reminders.  As you tuck your child

Divorce & Tax Time

It's tax time again. I get a lot of tax questions from divorcing parents around this time of year. While I am no tax expert, here are some general things to keep in mind about divorce and taxes:

• Child support is not income
• Child support is not deductible
• Single parents may be eligible for the Earned Income Credit, depending on income
• Single parents may be eligible for Head of Household based on caring for child for more than 1/2 the year and paying more than 1/2 the expenses of a home

Check the IRS website for the publications about these tax topics, or consult a tax professional if you have questions about divorce and taxes.

 

Be sure to grab a free copy of my Parent's Guide.

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Hurricane Planning & Your Parenting Plan

Hurricane Checklist: Plan to Stay Connected

There are a months until the start of hurricane season. Although 2010 was a relatively mild hurricane season in Florida, you should not become complacent. Anyone who lived here in 2004 and 2005 knows how quickly our luck can change and how powerful and devastating a storm can be.

Throughout hurricane season we discuss preparing an emergency kit, planning for your pets, and planning what to do after the storm. But have you thought about having a plan for your cell phone?

Be sure you have a “Hurricane Phone." It's a good idea to have a wireless phone on hand and at least one corded, landline telephone that is not dependent on electricity in case of a power outage. Cordless telephones usually have receivers that are electrically charged, so they won't work if you lose your power.

Program all of your emergency contact numbers and e-mail addresses into your mobile phone. Numbers should include the police department, fire station, hospital and your family members.

Keep your wireless phone batteries charged at all times. Have an alternative plan to recharge your battery in case of a power outage, such as charging your wireless device by using your car charger, or having extra mobile phone batteries or disposable mobile phone batteries on hand.

Keep your wireless phone dry. The biggest threat to your device during a storm is water, so keep your equipment safe from the elements by storing it in a baggie or some other type of protective covering.

Forward your home number to your wireless number in the event of an evacuation. Because call forwarding is based out of the telephone central office, you will get incoming calls from your landline phone even if your local telephone service is disrupted at your home. In the unlikely event that the central office is not operational, services such as voice mail, call forwarding, remote access call forwarding and call forwarding busy line/don't answer may be useful.

Use your wireless device to track the storm and access weather information. Many homes lose power during severe weather. If you have a wireless device that provides access to the Internet, you can watch weather reports through your mobile device. For more hurricane and disaster tips, visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com.

SOURCE: The AT&T Web site and updated (April 2009) Seasonal Forecast issued by Colorado State University forecasters Philip Klotzback and William Gray.

Keep in mind how you will contact your children after a hurricane or other disaster after the divorce. I highly recommend making a disaster plan within your Florida Parenting Plan.