A Guide to Building Trust During Divorce

Puzzle piece with trust on it

by Dr. James E. Walton, Ph.D. I recently spoke at the CPCal Celebration about ‘Navigating the Turbulent Waters of Divorce.’ During the conference, I focused on the importance of building trust by emphasizing transparency, consistency, follow-through, and validation. These elements are like the legs of a chair – without one, trust becomes shaky, and without…

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How to Manage Finances with Your Co-Parent

Couple managing finances

Often, divorcing couples struggle with how finances and child custody will be divided and all the costs that come along once the divorce is finalized. When married partners use a litigated court divorce, it often becomes a win-lose situation. Couples utilizing the collaborative divorce model are paired with divorce experts committed to a peaceful resolution…

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What is the Mental Health Professional Role in Collaborative Divorce?

Woman in therapy session

By Dr. James E. Walton, Ph.D. When facing the complexities of divorce, emotional support is often overlooked. Collaborative divorce offers a more amicable alternative to the adversarial nature of court-litigated divorces, focusing on cooperation, understanding and emotional wellbeing. In a collaborative divorce, a mental health child life specialist, along with a divorce coach professional, plays…

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How to Make the Holidays a Happy Event After Divorce

Mother and Daughter enjoying the holidays

Approaching the first holiday post-divorce adds a layer of complexity, making it essential to offer practical suggestions to help our clients have a happy holiday. Here are some suggestions to create happy holiday experiences: Reaching out to help others can be a healing experience from your divorce. It’s “better to give than receive.” It’s very…

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How to Create a Parenting Plan to Help Your Children Through Divorce

Calendar with pen and post its

Navigating divorce while prioritizing your children’s well-being can be challenging. Collaborative divorce provides a supportive approach to creating a parenting plan that serves your children’s best interests. Here, we’ll explore essential tips for crafting a successful parenting plan during divorce, emphasizing communication, collaboration, and your children’s welfare. Child-centric approach. Child specialists and mental health experts…

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What You Should Know About a Reverse Mortgage

Calculator, money and chalk board with reverse mortgage written on it

In divorce’s intricate landscape, reverse mortgages emerge as a financial tool warranting consideration for couples utilizing the collaborative divorce process. This article will explain what reverse mortgages are and how they can smoothly fit into the collaborative divorce process. Think of it as Reverse Mortgage 101. Grasping the essence of reverse mortgages Picture a scenario…

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Overcoming the Challenges of Co-Parenting After Divorce

Father holding daughter and mother holding son

Choosing a divorce method that encourages collaboration and avoids litigation can lay a strong foundation for effective co-parenting. Here are some important insights to guide you: Choose a Non-Adversarial Divorce Method Opting for alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation or collaborative divorce can help you avoid court and minimize conflict. These processes focus on open…

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Should You Keep Your Family Home After Divorce

Front side of house

Deciding whether to hang on to the family home after a divorce is a big decision, and it is not straightforward. It depends on many different factors. Here are a few thoughts to consider when trying to determine your options for the family home when divorcing: Emotional ties: The family home might have sentimental value,…

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