FRIDAY-ISM 015

FRIDAY-ISM 015: Communication is the key component in all relationships. Period.
(Friday-ism on a Saturday - close enough...)

FRIDAY-ISM 014

FRIDAY-ISM 014: For all you Heat fans, some insightful words from Pat Riley. "If you have a positive attitude and constantly strive to give your best effort, eventually you will overcome your immediate problems and find you are ready for greater challenges."

Happy Endings for All

A victory for same sex couples came at the end of June when the Supreme Court struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act. One major portion of this Act prevented gay and lesbian couples, who were legally married in their home state, from receiving federal recognition for the purpose of receiving federal benefits. The repeal of Section 3 of the Act now affords same sex couples the same federal benefits granted to heterosexual couples. Those benefits include social security benefits for widows/widowers, joint income tax filing, tax deductions for children and immigration protections for binational couples.
However, with the right to marry also comes the right to divorce. Divorcing still remains a complicated matter. The problem lies in the laws of each individual state. If a couple, who married in a state that legally recognizes same sex marriage, is trying to divorce in a state that does not recognize same sex marriage, there is no definite answer yet as to whether the domicile state (the state where the couple resides) will still grant the couple a legal divorce. However, the repeal does provide them a pathway to challenge the state's laws. This all might sound very confusing and it is.  The good news is that the federal government is finally taking a step in the right direction.
So, why is this relevant to my blog: Well even as a same sex couple you can still attempt a divorce through a mediation. A family mediator can hash out all of the couple's assets and liabilities and even set up a timesharing schedule for any children. (Any Parenting Plan can be formally filed with the court.) Even if an agreement can't be legally recognized by the court system, it still is a contractual document that the couple can rely on.

FRIDAY-ISM 013

FRIDAY-ISM 013 (Yes, it's a Tuesday but won't be near a computer on Friday - hence this post): Don't forget to stop and smell the roses. It's too easy to get caught up in the daily grind of life. So take a moment, an afternoon, or a whole day or two to just enjoy life. Take a "ME" day - you deserve it!

50 Shades of The Grey Divorce

A new trend has started and it's not in books. It's in divorce! More and more couples over the age of 50 are divorcing. This baby boomer generation has created the "Grey Divorce." Al and Tipper Gore, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman - just to name a few.  These couples have become empty-nesters and their expectations for marital success shift. Their marriages are no longer satisfying their individual goals and feelings of self-fulfillment. These divorces can be more complicated than those of their younger counterparts as issues of social security benefits, retirement funds and alimony are often involved. However, a grey divorce is typically a good candidate for mediation as the couple just desires to go their separate ways without too much animosity.
(Read more below)
50 Shades of Gray Divorce

FRIDAY-ISM 012

FRIDAY-ISM 012: "Any fool can be a Father, but it takes a Real Man to be a Daddy." - Philip Whitmore Snr. In Honor of Father's Day. Wishing all the Fathers, Grandfathers, and to-be-Fathers a wonderful holiday. Your hardwork as a parent should be celebrated too!

FRIDAY-ISM 011

FRIDAY-ISM 011: Family conflict won't resolve itself. The longer you let an issue sit, the worse it becomes. Don't be afraid to have the "talk" - whatever that might be. Push your anxiety aside and tackle your issue head on. Your family will benefit from your actions.