Steve McBride, CDFA, Mediator, Divorce Finance Consultant Steve McBride Colorado Mediator and CDFA

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  parenting time, custody, parental responsiblity, child support  
     
 

"It's clear that children of all ages regard fighting between their parents as their number-one divorce-related problem."

Helping Your Kids Cope
with Divorce the Sandcastles Way,
pp. 197.

—M. Gary Neuman

 
     
       

Parenting

Contents

 

If you have children, then they should be your top priority when thinking about your separation or divorce.  Indeed, the Court is primarily concerned with what is in the best interests of the children.

Some people come to me with the thought that they need to have a lot of parenting time so that they will minimize their child support payments.  Parenting time is only one part of the formula for determining child support.  Frankly, child support is one of the last things that I address when helping people look at their financial settlement.  As a mediator, I want to address the parenting plan very early on in our discussions.

A parenting plan is made up of two main parts:  sharing time with the children, and decision-making. Also, decisions need to be made about health insurance, life insurance, and child support.

One of the best resources I have found to help parents think about, and make good decisions about, their children, is the UpToParents web site.  If you are considering divorce, you should definitely spend time on this web site and do all the exercises recommended.

There are also a few articles on our articles page on parenting which you may find helpful.

Finally, you should do everything in your power to keep your children from being be in the middle of the dispute with your spouse.  You should plan together how you will tell your children about your separation and divorce, and then stick to your plan.  No matter how much you may be angry at or disappointed with your spouse, putting your children in the middle of your dispute only harms your children more than they may already be harmed.

 

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5600 Greenwood Plaza  Blvd, Suite 255, Greenwood Village, CO 80111  Phone:  303.867.1400  FAX 303 800 8230 email:  info@divorcefinancecolorado.com

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