Over the last few weeks, the contentious (and seemingly sudden) breakup between American pop star Joe Jonas and British actress Sophie Turner has made headlines almost daily—and rapidly escalated into a complex and closely watched custody battle. On September 6th, after seven years together (four married) and the birth of two daughters, the Jonas…
As the parent of an adult child, you’ve seen your kid through so much. You’ve cheered their first steps, first days of school, first dates; comforted them through boo-boos, broken bones, broken hearts, meltdowns and milestones, victories and defeats; graduation, a wedding, perhaps the birth of grandchildren. Even after our kids grow up, move…
It’s a situation that, at least on the surface, seems ripe for a parody of the Pop Princess’s song lyrics: “Oops, he did it again,” “Gimme More”… Media reports revealed that just days before their eldest son reached the age of majority, Britney Spears’s ex-husband, Kevin Federline, is again considering going to court to…
The end of a marriage is, of course, hardest on the divorcing couple and their children. But there’s pain on the periphery, too. When your adult child goes through a separation, it’s natural to feel like you’re riding the emotional roller coaster right along with them; you may have sorrow, anger, frustration, disappointment, worry—or,…
Parental Alienation is a hotly disputed, widely misunderstood, and oft-misused concept that can distort custody cases—sometimes with dangerous or damaging outcomes. It’s essential to understand the context and history of the Parental Alienation theory and how misapplication can have a detrimental—even devastating—effect in family court. Under California law, the child’s best interests, except in…
It’s back-to-school season—a time most kids (and many parents) greet with excitement, anticipation, wistfulness, nerves, and even a bit of dread. It’s hard to say goodbye to summer and return to the structure of classes and extracurricular activities. There’s so much to remember and prepare. It can take days or weeks to settle into…
Raising your kids is the most important and rewarding job you’ll ever do. Parenting brings immeasurable love, joy, and satisfaction. It’s also one of the most challenging tasks out there—and that’s true whether you do it as a married couple, single, or separated person. Still, there is no question that divorced parents face specific…
The fight for LGBTQIA+ rights is ongoing and multifaceted. One area that has recently gained significant attention is gender-affirming care for minors, particularly transgender children. This issue has become a focal point in the ongoing culture wars, with a surge in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation aiming to restrict access to gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. Several…
The end of a marriage is full of raw and intense emotions, complicated logistics, weighty decisions, extreme busyness, enormous life changes, hard conversations, worries about the future, and concern for your children. It’s understandable if you’re feeling anxious, uncertain, and overwhelmed. At the same time, however, the personal mess and muddy feelings induced by…
Divorce is deeply personal. On top of the heartache and overwhelming logistics, you feel vulnerable and exposed. We all have things in our lives we’re not proud of—bad decisions, moments we’ve not been at our best. And let’s face it- a crumbling marriage doesn’t always bring out our highest nature. It’s understandable if you…
