In our last blog, our Phoenix family law attorneys gave some pointers on how to help kids through a divorce. If you have not decided whether divorce is for you or not and it’s because you’re fearful of what it will do to your kids, remember you’re not doing them (or yourself) any favors by staying in a relationship laden with fights, anger, resentment and pain.

Here’s a couple of things you can do to ease the pain of your babies when the divorce is in play.

Rules should be the same in both homes: Mom’s house can’t be a death camp while dad’s house is a free for all funfest. Make sure to be on the same team when it comes to punishments, bedtimes, eating times, homework rules, etc. The kids may not like the rules (what else is new) but if they know the consequences are the same at either house, they’ll know what to expect. Bedtime is really important here — staying on the same sleep schedule helps them in school and is best for a child’s health.

Put the kids ahead of the property: Okay, so you’re angry she got the house, he got the car, it’s not fair she gets to keep the engagement ring that belonged to my grandmother… NONE of this matters as much as the kids and their wellbeing. If you have to have a screaming match about your differences, save it for your Phoenix divorce lawyer’s office.

Your kids need you now — they need you BOTH more than ever because they are experiencing the death of an era just as you are. Play nice… just as you’ve taught your children to!

If you have questions about getting divorced in Arizona, give Thompson Law Firm a call today. We’ll help you any way we can. We know you can get through this!

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Phoenix Divorce Law: How to Split with Low Impact on the Kids

by Christy Thompson on February 25, 2010

So you’ve decided to get a divorce but you just can’t go through with it because you’re fearful of the effects it could have on your children. An understandable concern, to be sure. But what you must consider is what you could be putting your children through if you opt to stay in a marriage that just isn’t working anymore. There is life after divorce–a life better for you and for your kids.

Our Phoenix divorce lawyers have put together some tips that will help get you started.

1. If you have joint custody, no matter how much animosity might be there between you and the ex, have dinner as a family when dropping the kids from one house to the other. This gives the kids the chance to commune with you both. It comforts, and also shows them you’re still a united front when it comes to raising them and making decisions.

2. Do NOT start dating right away: No matter how ready you may think you are, the kids aren’t, no matter how “cool” they are with you. Keep your distance from the singles scene until the kids really have an understanding that divorce means your relationship with their mom or dad is really over–let them grieve even if they have no idea that’s what they’re doing.

Our Phoenix divorce lawerys will have more pointers in the next few blogs, so stay tuned!

If you’re having a hard time and you’re contemplating separation, call one of our Phoenix family law attorneys. We’re happy to answer your questions with a free consultation at (480) 634-7480.

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Phoenix Estate Plans: Considering a Trust in Arizona

February 21, 2010

Should your estate include a trust? Well, that depends on a number of factors, including your net worth and the estate laws in your state. The laws that govern estate planning have undergone some pretty serious changes (and more are proposed to take effect in 2011). There are many variables to think about and even [...]

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Chandler Estate Planning: Protect Your Estate with Great Planning!

February 19, 2010

No matter how big or small your estate is, you should always have an Arizona estate planning lawyer assist you. Why? Because there are predators out there that can attack your estate if it isn’t properly set up. This said, there are alternatives to plain, old-fashioned legal counsel – for example, Thompson Family Law offers [...]

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Chandler Estate Planning: Inventory Your Assets and Decide Who Gets What!

February 16, 2010

It may sound a little redundant, but assessing your assets is an essential part of the estate planning process and it’s an activity that you and your Phoenix asset protection lawyer should get into early on in the estate planning game.
Inventory your assets: This makes it easier to choose who should get the different assets [...]

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Phoenix Estate Planning: What are the Components of an Estate Plan?

February 14, 2010

Oftentimes, folks start estate planning before the even comprehend any of the elements. Arizona estate planning lawyers can help you understand some things, but there are a couple of odds and ends you can at least familiarize yourself with.
No matter what, an estate plan must include a final will and testament; a will should be [...]

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Arizona Estate Planning: State and Federal Estate Tax Laws

February 12, 2010

Every state has its own estate tax laws, federal estate tax has not generally been an issue for those who have an estate that’s total value is less than $3.5 million dollars. That means if your estate is under this mark, your beneficiaries will get their shares of your estate without having to pay federal [...]

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Arizona Estate Planning: Setting Up an Income Distribution Trust for Kids

February 1, 2010

One of the most important parts of planning an estate in Arizona is preparing  a trust for your children, especially for those children under the age of 18. As a part of your living trust, ensuring that your children receive their inheritance in the manner in which you intended, a trust for children with monthly [...]

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Cheap Online Divorce in Arizona with the Help of REAL Lawyers

January 30, 2010

When most people think of online divorce, they often dismiss it because they confuse it with simple document preparation or think they’ll be all on their own when it comes time to answer the difficult questions or fill out documents that are riddled with “legalese.”
Thompson Law Firm aims to change the way people think about [...]

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Arizona Do It Yourself Divorce: Simple, Cheap, and with All the Guidance You Need

January 29, 2010

Thompson Law Firm offers do-it-yourself divorce through the Internet. We’re proud to offer this service, but we think the term “do-it-yourself” might be a bit of a misnomer here. You see, when you sign on for an Arizona online divorce with Thompson Law, we don’t just give you access to a series of documents you [...]

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