Divorce has traditionally meant expensive, drawn-out meetings in court with each spouse working their hardest to get the best deal at the expense of the other. Today, however, spouses seeking a Texas divorce have a better option: mediation. While mediation is a great resource for couples seeking to save money and minimize conflict in their divorce, it is not a magic bullet that will solve every problem without serious effort on the part of each spouse. If you are getting divorced and seeking mediation, here are three common mistakes to avoid. 

Having Unrealistic Expectations

Spouses often enter mediation with the idea that, because it is less hostile than traditional courtroom litigation, it will be possible to get everything they want. But while mediation is a dispute resolution process, it still involves compromise between two people who often have mutually exclusive goals. It is important not to allow yourself to be taken advantage of, but it is equally important to expect to be at least somewhat dissatisfied by the outcome. 

Making Short-Term Decisions About Long-Term Issues 

It can be tempting to focus on all the ways your spouse has wronged you and all the things that make him or her a terrible parent, then use these things to justify trying to keep your spouse away from your kids. But your kids will get older and develop an adult perspective on your separation from your spouse. Unless your spouse presents a legitimate danger to your children, making an effort to alienate them from one parent is likely to seriously backfire. Try to put your personal differences aside when you are creating a parenting plan and focus on what is best for your children. 

Parents who are getting divorced in Texas basically have two options when determining how to manage issues regarding their children: a peaceful independent divorce mediation process or an adversarial journey through the family court system. While mediation benefits divorcing parents by making the process more peaceful and saving the time and expense of hostile courtroom litigation, the primary beneficiaries of mediation are underage children. Children, who have little or no control over their parent’s divorce outcome, are often trapped unfairly between parents who are so intent on competing with each other that they neglect to put their children’s needs first. If you are getting divorced in Texas and have underage children, here are some ways mediation can benefit them. 

More Flexibility in Your Parenting Plan

When a judge is left to decide which parent gets custody, the final outcome is not likely to be to anyone’s satisfaction. Texas family court judges are committed to finding out what arrangement would be in the children’s best interests, but nobody knows children as well as their parents. 

Mediation can help you avoid having a dissatisfactory parenting plan given to you by a court. Instead, each parent can express their priorities and then work together to create a schedule arrangement that allows the children to maximize time spent with each parent and transition smoothly between households. 

Divorce can be tough on a family’s finances. Child support, spousal support, and asset division are all difficult to negotiate, but when a small family business is involved, spouses may become extremely protective about dividing their hard-earned success. Fortunately, divorce mediation can help spouses make all necessary financial decisions during divorce - even the most difficult ones, like what to do with a small business. Here are three common questions about handling a family business during divorce. 

Is a Business Community Property? 

If a business is not community property, it will not be divided in a divorce - hence, determining whether a business belongs exclusively to one spouse is the first step in managing a family business. Businesses that are protected by a prenuptial agreement will likely remain the separate property of one spouse, as will some of all or a business that was up and running before a spouse got married. While a mediator cannot make separate property become marital property and vice versa, he or she can help spouses agree about how much of a business is community property if the business was started prior to the marriage. 

How Much is the Business Worth? 

The next step in managing a business is determining its worth. There are several ways to do this, and the best way will depend on the type of business and the goals of the spouses. A mediator can help spouses agree about a valuation method to use and how to manage conflict if spouses disagree about the value of the business. Valuing a business can be complicated, so mediators can help spouses work with financial professionals to complete a mutually acceptable valuation assessment. 

Although the vast majority of those who use mediation eventually find a resolution to all the important issues in their Collin County divorces, not all mediation efforts are successful. A mediator may decide to delay or permanently terminate divorce mediation, and although it may be frustrating to hear this, it may ultimately be for the best. If you are anticipating a high-conflict divorce and are considering mediation, you may want to know the reasons that a mediator may pause or withdraw from a couple’s mediation efforts. 

When is Mediation Not the Best Choice for Your Family? 

Although extensive research and millions of successfully divorced couples illustrate that mediation is often the best option, the truth is that no solution to divorce works for everyone. Many couples save time, money, and emotional upheaval using mediation, but if the process is not effective for you, it does not matter how well it works for someone else. Mediation may fail for several reasons, including, but not limited to: 

• Violence between spouses - A mediator will generally not begin working with a couple if domestic violence is in the picture. If it becomes apparent to a mediator that domestic violence is playing a role in a couple’s relationship after mediation has already begun, the mediator may stop or suspend mediation. 
• Danger to the children - If one party makes a threat during mediation to harm the couple’s children or to take them away if a satisfactory result is not reached, a mediator may stop the process. Under certain circumstances, mediators are obligated to inform the authorities of potential violence or criminal behavior, including child abuse or neglect. 
• Unfairness - If the mediator believes that she cannot act as an unbiased or neutral third party, that the final settlement is not fair, or that one spouse is using mediation to manipulate or control the other spouse, the mediator may choose to stop the mediation process. 

If your mediator decides to stop working for you, it is probably a good idea to trust their judgment and ask yourself whether mediation is really in your best interests, especially if the mediator believes your spouse is trying to take advantage of you. 

Divorce is often depicted in television and film as dramatic and overtly aggressive. However, divorce does not have to be like this. Many people are able to walk away from their marriage without resorting to hostility. Some ex-spouses are even able to remain friends after the split. If you are ready to get divorced but you want to minimize the tension and drama involved in many divorce cases, the following tips may help

Reducing Misunderstandings, Resentment, and Turbulence in Your Divorce Case

Just as there is no such thing as a perfect marriage, there is no such thing as a perfect divorce. Every divorce case will have some degree of tension or discomfort. However, there are practical steps you can take to mitigate the tension, including:  

• Prepare in advance. – The sooner you start preparing for the divorce process, the better. Organize your financial documents and make several copies for you and your spouse. Inventory your assets and debts. Start considering how you plan to handle child custody, property division, and other divorce issues now so you are better prepared and less frazzled when you negotiate the terms of your divorce.
• Understand your wants and needs. – Take some time to write down your needs and wants regarding the divorce. On what issues are you willing to compromise or not compromise? Honestly and realistically evaluating your own needs and wants puts you in a better position to discuss divorce issues productively.
• Know the divorce laws in your state. – Texas divorce cases vary from divorce in other states. Know the laws in your state so you do not make any decisions based on incorrect or outdated information.
• Do not assume working with an attorney will increase hostility. – Some people assume that lawyers are only needed in contentious divorce cases. However, many lawyers specialize in amicable, cooperative divorce.   
• Commit to the free exchange of information. – Make a pact with your spouse to freely exchange information about finances and other important matters during the case. Agree to keep this information confidential.
• Work with a mediator. – Mediators are skilled in conflict resolution and communication. Many couples find that they can reach solutions to divorce disagreements through divorce mediation easier and more quickly than they could on their own.
• Do not badmouth your ex to the kids. – If you share children with your spouse, parenting disagreements are inevitable. Make a concerted effort to avoid badmouthing your ex in front of your kids. Vent to a trusted friend or counselor instead.
• Build a strong support system. – Even if your divorce is relatively amicable, the process is still exhausting. Do not be afraid to ask friends, family, religious leaders, and other trustworthy individuals for help when you need it.
• Maintain strong boundaries. – Remaining on good terms with your soon-to-be-ex does not eliminate the need for strong boundaries. You still deserve to have your boundaries respected.
• Accept your feelings. – Some days you may feel devastated that your marriage is ending. Other days, you feel near-euphoric relief. This is completely normal. Accept your feelings and try not to judge yourself.

Contact a Collin County Attorney-Mediator

Divorce does not have to be hostile. If you are ready to end your marriage but you want to keep the matter out of court, consider working with a skilled Plano attorney-mediator. Call Divorce Mediation Centers of America at 469-406-4320 for a free consultation.

Married spouses who choose to divorce must address multiple issues. Most married spouses have built a life together. They may share financial assets like bank accounts and vehicles and have children together. They may need to address spousal support or alimony and other special issues.

If you are getting divorced, you should know that divorce does not have to be antagonistic and hostile. You and your spouse may be able to negotiate the terms of your divorce in a collaborative, non-adversarial way through mediation. A skilled mediator may be able to help you reach agreements about some or all of your divorce issues outside of the courtroom. If you are considering mediation, you may have questions about what the mediation process will look like and how long it will take.

Resolving Divorce Matters Through Mediation in Texas

Mediation is an alternative resolution method that countless divorcing spouses have utilized in Texas and throughout the U.S. For many couples, mediation allows them to figure out the details of their divorce without the courtroom stress and drama associated with contested divorce cases.

In a marriage, “mine” and “yours” often become “ours.” Disentangling one spouse’s property and debts from the other spouse’s property and debts during divorce can be quite complicated. This is especially true if the spouses disagree about who should keep what. Fortunately, disagreements about the division of marital assets in a divorce do not destine a couple for divorce court. Many couples are able to negotiate the terms of their property division settlement during divorce mediation.

Reaching an Agreement on Asset Division Through Mediation

Texas courts follow community property laws when dividing marital property. However, divorcing couples are free to divide their assets as they see fit - without the court’s involvement.

Mediation can help a couple discuss exactly how property should be divided. Understandably, many divorcing spouses struggle to communicate effectively. They may be holding onto old hurts or resentments that make it hard to discuss property division without getting emotional. Many spouses are simply overwhelmed at the sheer number of decisions they must make during the divorce process and are unsure of where to start. This is where a neutral third-party mediator can help. The mediator’s job is to help you discuss property division concerns and make decisions that both spouses agree to. An experienced mediator will know how to break down the process into smaller steps and guide the couple as they explore their options.

As a parent, breaking up or getting divorced involves much more than financial issues like the division of assets. You must also decide how you and your soon-to-be-ex will handle child custody and parenting responsibilities. Unfortunately, deciding how to divide time with your children can quickly become  a contentious issue. Parents may also disagree on how to raise their children.  Family law mediation can help you and your child’s other parent discuss these issues and work toward a solution. Many parents find that the meditation process saves them time, money, and stress as compared to traditional litigation.

Parental Dating and Romantic Partners

Many divorced parents plan to reenter the dating scene once the divorce is finalized. You and your child’s other parent should discuss how and when a parent may introduce the child to a new romantic partner. You may also want to discuss whether a parent can have a romantic partner spend the night. By addressing these issues early, you may be able to prevent arguments in the future.

Holidays, Vacations, and Special Occasions

Even if you and the other parent can agree on a child custody schedule in a general sense, there will always be special occasions. For example, who will keep the child on their birthday? What about Christmas or New Year’s Day? If there is a school vacation, will the parent who was originally assigned custody keep the child, or will the parents split up the vacation?

Divorcing parents must address multiple issues during divorce, including the division of marital property and debts, child custody, and child support.  Parents who can reach an out-of-court agreement on these issues through mediation can often avoid litigation and the stress that comes with it. Mediation may also help reduce the hostility between you and your spouse – something that children can easily pick up on. Although it is much more common than it used to be, divorce is still hard on children. If you are planning to divorce, family law mediation may benefit you and your children in several ways.

Reducing Conflict When Deciding Divorce Issues

Understandably, divorcing parents often experience intense emotions. They may find it difficult to discuss divorce issues like child custody or asset division calmly and rationally. During the mediation process, divorcing spouses work with a mediator skilled in conflict resolution and negotiation methods. He or she can help parents find common ground and discuss the unresolved issues in a productive manner.

Reducing Non-Compliance After the Divorce

When divorce issues are resolved by the court, the spouses no longer have a say in the outcome of the case. Their respective lawyers can advocate for their clients’ and make arguments, but the judge ultimately makes the decision. If the divorce is resolved through mediation, the spouses themselves determine the final outcome. The spouses may be more likely to comply with the provisions of the final divorce decree if they had a hand in deciding those provisions.

The decision to split from your spouse is not one that anyone makes easily. Many times, divorcing spouses still care about each other greatly. They simply realize that they are no longer compatible as a married couple. If you have found yourself in this situation, you may be seeking ways to resolve your divorce without an antagonistic court battle. Fortunately, there are many options for divorcing spouses in Texas. Divorce mediation involves meeting with a neutral mediator who will help you discuss divorce issues and reach solutions. Read on to learn about the types of conflict resolution strategies mediators may use to help you end your marriage amicably.

Focusing on Solutions Instead of Winning or Losing

Depending on your particular situation, you and your spouse may need to address the division of marital property and debts, child custody, spousal support, and several other issues during divorce. Unfortunately, many divorce cases become focused on “getting even” with the other spouse instead of resolving divorce issues. The goal of mediation is to find feasible solutions to divorce issues instead of “winning” the divorce. A mediator may remind spouses of this fact and keep them focused on the end goal throughout the mediation process.  

De-Escalating Conflict As It Arises

Conflict is an inevitable part of the divorce process. Even if you and your spouse agree on most of the divorce terms, you will most likely run into some disagreements. Part of a mediator’s job is to help prevent disagreements from escalating into unproductive arguments or yelling. For example, if a conversation becomes heated, the mediator may suggest that the couples take a 15-minute break to cool off before continuing.

If you are like most people, divorce is probably something that you never expected to live through. When you got married, you planned for it to be “till death do us part.” Unfortunately, many marriages do not work out this way, and if you have encountered relationship issues that cannot be resolved, it may be the best choice for everyone involved to end your marriage so that you and your spouse can both move on to a better life. Even if you were unable to make your marriage work, you may be able to complete your divorce more quickly and easily by using mediation. However, you will want to be prepared to address the issues that may arise during this process. By understanding some common sources of conflict, you can be prepared to approach these matters the right way and reach agreements that will benefit both you and your spouse.

Addressing Disputed Issues During Mediation

Your goal during mediation will be to create a divorce settlement that can be entered in court. You and your spouse will both need to fully agree on the terms of your settlement. As you work to reach agreements, some areas that may lead to disputes may include:

• Your family home - It makes sense for both you and your spouse to have a sentimental attachment to your house, especially if you have lived there for many years and formed relationships with neighbors and others in the community. Because of this, both of you may wish to continue living in your house, especially if you want your children to stay in the home where they have been raised. Ideally, you and your spouse will want to work together to determine whether it will be feasible for either of you to own the home on your own. You may be able to reach an agreement that will allow one spouse to continue living in the home temporarily or on a more permanent basis. Matters related to child custody may play a role in your decisions, especially if you want your children to continue living in the same home and attending the same schools. However, the best solution in many cases is to sell the home. By dividing any profits earned from the sale, you can each make sure you will have the financial resources to find new living arrangements.
• Spousal support - When one spouse earns a lower income or is a stay-at-home parent, they may ask for financial support from the other spouse. This can be a contentious issue, since most people will not like the idea of making payments to their former spouse. However, it is important to remember that this form of support is not meant to be a punishment, and a person cannot be required to pay support because they were at fault for their divorce. Courts will usually only order spousal support if one spouse needs financial assistance to meet their needs and the other spouse has the capability to provide support while also covering their own ongoing expenses. If one spouse is in a position where they will struggle to cover the costs of living, you may be able to reach an agreement on an amount of spousal support that will be appropriate. You may also agree on how long these payments will last, ensuring that the spouse being supported will have the means to begin working again in the future.

Contact a Plano Divorce Mediator

As you work to resolve the outstanding issues in your divorce, a skilled mediator can help you address your concerns and reach agreements that you and your spouse will both be satisfied with. At Divorce Mediation Centers of America, we understand the issues that can lead to conflict during mediation, and we are prepared to help resolve disputes as peaceably as possible. To learn how we can help you complete your divorce as quickly and efficiently as possible, contact our Collin County divorce mediation professionals today at 469-406-4320 and arrange a complimentary consultation.

When married spouses or unmarried couples become involved in legal disputes, these matters can often be complex and difficult to resolve. During a divorce or a case in which parents disagree about how they will share child custody, the parties will need to address multiple types of legal and practical issues, and they may struggle to reach agreements. However, taking these disputes to court and resolving them through a trial can be very expensive for both parties, and the process can take multiple months, or it may even last more than a year. To resolve these matters more quickly and efficiently, a couple may be required to use mediation.

Court-Ordered Mediation

In many cases, mediation is voluntary, and a couple will choose to work together with a mediator to gain a full understanding of the issues they need to resolve and reach agreements on how these matters should be handled. However, there may also be cases where a family court judge will order a couple to use mediation in an attempt to reach a settlement prior to holding a trial.

Each court has its own rules and procedures, but in many cases, courts follow policies that require couples to use mediation to determine whether a settlement can be created before a case will be scheduled for a trial. In these situations, a mediator may be appointed, and couples will be required to make a good-faith effort to resolve their disputes and reach a workable settlement. If necessary, a party can object to the mediation order on the basis that the other party has committed domestic violence. If it would not be appropriate to require a victim of violence or abuse to have face-to-face meetings with the other party, the case may be able to proceed to trial without the requirement to use mediation.

If you are planning to get a divorce, you and your spouse will need to resolve many different issues related to your finances, the property you own, and your ongoing needs. If you have children, the divorce process may become even more complex, and you will need to address multiple types of issues related to child custody. In many cases, divorce mediation offers the best way to resolve disagreements and create a settlement that will provide for the needs of both you and your spouse. During the mediation process, you will need to understand how to address child support for your children.

Texas Child Support Laws

Child support obligations will depend on the decisions made about the physical custody of children. When children live with one parent for the majority of the time, that parent will usually receive child support payments from the other parent. To calculate child support, the net resources of the obligor parent will be determined, and a certain percentage will be applied to this amount based on the number of children that a parent will be supporting.

To calculate a parent’s net resources, all forms of income that a parent receives will be considered. This will not only include their regular wages and any bonuses or commissions, but also self-employment income, money earned through interest, royalties, or dividends from investments, severance pay, pension benefits, distributions from a trust, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, capital gains, and certain types of Social Security benefits or veteran’s benefits. Net resources will then be determined by deducting federal and state income taxes, Social Security taxes, and union dues.

If you are a parent who has chosen to end your relationship with your partner, you will need to make multiple types of decisions about how the two of you will handle child-related issues going forward. Whether you are going through a divorce or ending a relationship as unmarried partners, you will need to address how you will work together to make decisions about how your children will be raised, the amount of time that children will spend with each parent, and multiple other concerns about how you can provide for your children’s ongoing needs. Child custody mediation can be a great way to reach agreements on these matters while minimizing conflict and ensuring that you will both be on the same page about issues related to your children.

Tips for Success in Child Custody Mediation

During mediation, you will work together with the other parent to make decisions about how you will share custody of your children. A neutral mediator will help you identify the issues that will need to be resolved and provide you with guidance on how you can reach agreements regarding these matters. Ideally, you will be able to create an agreement that will allow you to cooperate with each other to provide for your children’s ongoing needs. You can do so by following these tips:

• Be prepared - Before beginning mediation, it is a good idea to write down your goals and expectations. This will allow you to compare your position with the other parent’s expectations and identify disagreements that will need to be resolved. You can create a proposed schedule for parenting time and visitation, while also detailing how you expect to address ongoing decisions related to your children. By considering these issues before beginning mediation, you can determine whether you will need to make changes to your expectations or whether compromises will be possible.
• Avoid personal attacks or disputes - You will want to do your best to put aside conflicts with the other parent about why your relationship is ending or any grievances about how matters have been handled in the past. Mediation is not the time to lay blame for a divorce, rehash old arguments, or complain about relationship issues. Instead, you will want to focus on working together to make decisions about issues related to your children and reach agreements on how you will cooperate as co-parents going forward.
• Focus on your children’s best interests - When making decisions about child custody, it is important to put your children first rather than focusing on your own needs and desires. Thinking about what is best for your children will allow you to reach agreements that will allow them to be happy and healthy when spending time with both you and the other parent. Ideally, you will want to find ways you will be able to work together to provide for your children’s needs while also encouraging your children to maintain close, loving relationships with both of you.

Contact Our Collin County Child Custody Mediator

Whether you are going through a divorce or need to address child custody issues as an unmarried parent, a skilled mediator can help you resolve your disputes and create agreements that will protect your children’s best interests. Our Plano family law mediator can help you address these issues successfully while minimizing conflict and ensuring that you and the other parent are prepared to provide for your children’s needs. To arrange a free consultation, contact us today by calling 469-406-4320.

Divorce is an adversarial process. While you and your spouse may have functioned as a team while you were married, now that you have chosen to end your marriage, you will each be looking to protect your own interests. This is necessary, since you will each want to make sure you reach a fair outcome while ensuring that you will be able to move forward with your separate lives. However, even though you and your spouse will no longer be a united front, this does not mean that you need to prepare for high levels of conflict as you complete the process of dissolving your marriage. Instead of fighting legal battles, you may be able to complete your divorce without the need for an attorney.

Most divorces are completed through the creation of a divorce settlement, since the process of divorce litigation can take a great deal of time, and it can be very expensive for both parties. Rather than arguing matters in court, you and your spouse will present the court with an agreed divorce settlement, and after this settlement is approved by a judge, your marriage will be terminated. But how can you get to this point, and how can you make sure you will both be satisfied with your divorce settlement? In many cases, the best way to address these issues is through mediation.

Reaching a Divorce Settlement Through Mediation

The process of negotiating a divorce settlement can be time consuming, and both you and your spouse will want to make sure your interests will be protected in the decisions that you make. By working with a neutral mediator who is experienced in addressing divorce-related issues, you can make sure you will meet all of your legal requirements, and you can reach fair and workable agreements. Your mediator can guide you through productive discussions, explain how the divorce laws apply to you, and help you find solutions that you can both agree on.

Ending your marriage will require you and your spouse to make many decisions about how you will separate your lives from each other. Since you have most likely accumulated multiple different types of property during your marriage, determining how to divide your money and assets may be a complicated matter. Fortunately, divorce mediation can be a beneficial way to reach agreements on these issues and create a settlement that will provide each of you with the financial resources you need.

Addressing Multiple Types of Marital Property During Divorce Mediation

Recently, we looked at some issues that you may need to address when dividing valuable assets such as your home or a family business. In addition to those forms of property, you will also need to make decisions about other assets you own, including:

• Financial funds and investments - If you have money in bank accounts, or if you own stocks or other investment assets, you may agree to divide these assets equally between you and your spouse. However, you may also agree that one spouse will keep a larger portion of these funds, while the other spouse will keep other marital assets that are around the same value. Your mediator can help you make decisions about how to divide financial assets fairly.
• Retirement accounts or pensions - If either spouse has retirement savings in a 401(k) account or IRA, the funds in these accounts may be divided between the two of you. Pension benefits earned by a spouse during your marriage may also need to be divided based on how long you were married while these benefits were being earned. A mediator can explain the issues that will need to be addressed when dividing these types of assets, including how you may use qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) to withdraw funds before reaching retirement age without being subject to penalties or taxes.
• Vehicles - While you and your spouse may each retain ownership of your primary vehicles, you may need to address any differences in the value of these vehicles. For example, if your spouse’s vehicle is paid off, but you still need to make several years’ worth of payments on the loan for your vehicle, you may be able to negotiate a settlement in which you will receive enough funds to pay off your loan.
• Household items - There are multiple pieces of property in your home that will need to be divided, including furniture, kitchen utensils, household appliances, decorations, artwork, or collectibles. With the help of a mediator, you can reach agreements that will allow both you and your spouse to keep items that are important to you, while also ensuring that you will have what you need as you establish new living arrangements.
• Debts - In addition to assets, you will also need to determine who will be responsible for paying the debts that are owed by you and your spouse. You will both be responsible for paying any joint debts, such as credit card balances. Your mediator may help you make arrangements to pay off as much of your debts as possible during your divorce to ensure that you will both be on sound financial footing as you begin the next phase of your lives.

Contact Us for Plano Divorce Settlement Mediation Services

During your divorce, our experienced mediators can help you and your spouse work together to reach agreements on how you will divide the property you own. With our help, you can create a divorce settlement that will provide for your needs going forward. Contact our Collin County divorce mediators today at 469-406-4320 to schedule a complimentary consultation.

If you are planning to end your marriage, you and your spouse will need to address a variety of complex issues related to your property and finances, as well as other legal issues that will affect the two of you. While the divorce process can sometimes be lengthy and expensive, divorce mediation provides the option to complete this process more quickly and efficiently. As you prepare for divorce mediation, you will need to understand the issues to consider as you and your spouse negotiate a settlement that will address ownership of assets such as your home or a family business.

Considerations for Homes and Businesses During the Property Division Process

During divorce mediation, you and your spouse will work with a neutral mediator to address all of the issues that must be resolved before your marriage can be legally dissolved. As part of this process, you will make decisions about how you will address all of your marital property, which includes any assets or debts you have acquired during your marriage. Your goal is to reach agreements that will provide each of you with a fair share of your marital property, ensuring that you will both have the financial resources you need to succeed as you move forward after your divorce.

As you negotiate a property settlement, you may need to address ownership of high-value assets, including:

70 percent of parents experience stress related to summertime planning, according to a poll of 2,000 parents. Over half the parents polled said they were ready for their kids to go back to school after only one week.

Why are parents so stressed out over summer planning and what can they do about it?

Causes of summertime stress

In many households, both parents work which makes figuring out what to do with the kids when they are home all the time over summer break a major source of stress. Parents identified several key causes:

You love your children, and you knew when you filed for divorce that you and your ex would always share a connection because of your kids. You might have heard stories from family members or friends who have gone through lengthy court battles regarding child custody issues. That doesn’t mean that it has to be the same in your case. In fact, you don’t even have enter a Texas court; you can choose to mediate your divorce instead.

There are several helpful tips that you can use during mediation to avoid parental conflict. By keeping your children’s best interests in mind, you and your ex can learn to work as a team to resolve any child custody issue that arises during mediation sessions or after you finalize your divorce.

Controlling your emotions is the key to peaceful child custody discussions

Divorce typically evokes a wide range of emotions in people. You might feel at peace and confident about your future on one day, then feel sad or angry the next. In order to avoid co-parenting conflicts, it’s best to reserve child-related discussions for the days that you feel you have control over your emotions and are able to stay calm.

Determining how you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse intend to raise your children after your divorce requires careful consideration.

When you organize and write down your thoughts before attending mediation, you stand a better chance of remembering points important to you when parenting plan discussions begin.

Exercising control

You know your children better than anyone and certainly better than a judge. Preparing a parenting plan as part of divorce mediation allows you and the other parent to maintain control over the future of your children. You can be sure that your plan addresses their best interests and helps them adapt to new family relationships in the post-divorce world.