Divorce in America is now estimated to be at 50 percent, and each year, 1 million children in our country are experiencing the stress of having their parents split up.
Remember, the holidays are about celebrating and sharing love, not about squabbles divorced couples may have. How can parents keep that as their focus this year?
Billie Tarascio and Allyson Del Vecchio are partners in the law firm Tarascio and Del Vecchio. As experts in family law and divorce law, they created an innovative company dedicated to increasing access to justice through the promotion of low-cost, limited scope legal services. They have literally thrown out business as usual to bring you affordable legal services by offering low hourly rates and a pay-as-you-go plan. Here are their tips:
1. Stay flexible. Even when you have a written plan, things change, and unanticipated situations arise. The pre-planned pick-up and drop-off times may not work, or it may be better to trade on a particular year, depending on vacations or family in town.
2. Communicate. Parenting children is challenging when parents live together. It is especially challenging when they don’t get along, much less live together. Frequent, honest communication prevents misunderstandings, and can make the holidays easier on everyone.
3. Focus on your child. Instead of focusing on the dynamics between you and your ex, or how he always gets his way, think about how you can make the holidays as fun and fulfilling as possible for your child. Most children want and need a relationship with both parents and both sides of extended family. Think about ways you can support that relationship, while persevering and furthering your own. Keep in mind many children want to somehow be able to see each of their parents on a holiday.
Finally, when originally coming up with a plan, or in times of serious or ongoing disagreement, it is a good idea to consult an attorney. Other times to see an attorney include if there is an inbalance of power within the relationship, or if one person is withholding parenting time or alienating the other parent. Family law attorneys have had the advantage of seeing the good, the bad and the ugly. Many times, we can anticipate problems or make suggestions to solve problems and deescalate conflicts.
Tarascio and Del Vecchio offers licensed Arizona attorneys, who can help with all areas of family law, estate planning, civil litigation, real estate disputes, criminal law, immigration and more.
“I’ve worked in various family law firms, and the traditional model didn’t work,” Billie said. “Basically, anyone who is not wealthy can’t afford it … I figured, let’s lower the rate, and I’ll do pay-as-you-go. I began customizing what I was doing for clients.”
Billie hopes her new approach catches on enough to change the way people access something—legal service—when they desperately need it.
Their business model keeps their costs low, and eliminates administrative fees, so they can pass the savings along to you. In the event you determine you need more help, their attorneys are available to work under the traditional advanced fee model to offer you the full service of an attorney, including in-court representation.
For more information, go to www.alsarizona.com.