Blog Post

Summer Vacation Planning for Divorced Parents - Co-Parenting When the Heat is On

  • By Amy Ramsey
  • •
  • 16 Jun, 2014
  • •
And don’t forget to plan financially! Summer camps and increased childcare throughout the summer will cost money. Make a plan to cover these expenses and ensure both parties understand who’s in charge of what.
Ah, summer!
The bright sun, hot days, and thirst-quenching lemonade. Kids running around the neighborhood laughing with delight.
Oh yes, the kids! Out of school and with lots of time to fill, it’s time to plan for summer vacation.
While you may have already addressed custody in mediation, summer vacation has a way of shaking up even the most carefully laid plans. With kids now out of school for months, it will take some planning to ensure they are cared for during the day and that they can enjoy their summer to the max.
It’s also the season for family vacations, and for divorced parents, this most likely means two separate vacations to plan, with both parents wanting to enjoy quality, fun time with the kids.
As with most things divorce related, there’s a hard way and easy way. Of course, I suggest taking the easy way and working together to ensure you, your ex, and your children have the best summer possible.
There’s a few key pieces to making the easy way work for you:
Planning –
There is more planning required over the summer months to fill the gaps in childcare, plus keep up with things like vacations and summer camps. Planning ahead of time is absolutely critical to ensure everything falls into place.
Not only does this planning ensure both parents are on board, it helps the children know their schedule. Kids like routine and structure, so while their typical routine may be adjusted, they will benefit from knowing their schedule and when they will be seeing each parent.
And don’t forget to plan financially! Summer camps and increased childcare throughout the summer will cost money. Make a plan to cover these expenses and ensure both parties understand who’s in charge of what.
Communicating –
Along with planning, great communication between parents is absolutely essential. Sharing your own schedule for vacations and your expectations for custody arrangements throughout the summer goes hand-and-hand with planning. Additionally, communicating any changes and concerns that come up are important in working together to find mutually beneficial solutions. Speaking of which…
Keeping the peace –
Remember this isn’t personal, it’s about the kids.
It’s important that you are comfortable with the arrangements and care for your children. And it’s equally important that you balance this with an understanding of your ex-partner’s point of view. A plan that works for you and not for your ex, isn’t going to solve problems and will just cause more resentment in the future.
Just like the divorce process, keep things focused on the business at hand and keeping peace in your co-parenting relationship.
Summer vacation should be a time of play and laughter. And it can be with the right approach to co-parenting in place.
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Timing Is Everything

By Laura Rosauer • 31 Jul, 2018
Like it or not, the tax laws are changing.  New tax laws that take effect January 1, 2019 may also impact your divorce.  Understanding the new tax laws may help you decide if it's better to complete your divorce by December 31 or wait until the new year.  The attached article provides a good summary.  
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/27/your-money/divorce-tax-law.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share

Whether you divorce in 2018 or wait until next year, California Mediation Solutions will help you resolve your divorce timely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.  Call today for a free consultation.  951-328-8400.

Declaring Your Independence

By Laura Rosauer • 18 Jul, 2018
July is all about celebrating our independence, but if you're getting divorced, do you know how to create your own freedom and independence in your new life? 

Changes in Tax Laws Affect Spousal Support

By Laura Rosauer • 15 Feb, 2018
Divorce or legal separation can be an emotional and financial rollercoaster.  When one spouse makes more than the other spouse, the Court may order the higher income earner to pay the other spouse alimony, or spousal support.  For as long as most of us divorce attorneys can remember, spousal support has been a tax deduction for the payor spouse and taxable income to the spouse receiving it.  

However, that's all about to change.

Commencing January 1, 2019, spousal support will no longer be a federal tax deduction for the payor spouse and will not be taxable income to the paying spouse.  Since the new tax law only affects spousal support orders made on or after January 1, 2019, divorce attorneys and the courts expect this will increase the number of divorces in 2018.

California's current spousal support guidelines (Family Code section 4320), were constructed with tax provisions in mind.  However, with the changes to the federal tax laws starting January 1, 2019, this could impact the amount of spousal support.  For example, if the payor's taxes increase, the amount of spousal support will likely decrease.  This, in all likelihood, will affect child support if the payor has less income available after taxes to pay child support.  

The changes in the federal tax laws may give some unhappy couples an incentive to untie the knot and resolve their divorce case before the end of 2018.  California Mediation Solutions has helped divorcing couples determine the appropriate amount of spousal support in order to reach an agreement outside of court.  Contact us today for a free consultation to see how divorce mediation can resolve your case before the tax laws change.  951-328-8400

You should consult your accountant or tax advisor to see how these tax law changes will affect you.

Things are heating up! How to handle heated arguments

By Laura Rosauer • 14 Aug, 2014
Summer is officially in full swing and things have been heating up around the U.S. Sweat is beading on our foreheads and we’re looking for ways to cool down, while still enjoying the sunshine and outdoors...

Father's Day

By Kelly Higdon • 14 Jun, 2012
Father's Day is right around the corner. It is a family holiday where we celebrate what we love about our dads. However, if your family is impacted by divorce, Father's Day can be stressful. We want to encourage mom's this year to be a model for their kids. If you want to teach your children to value other people, then show them how it is done. Take a moment and
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