Tips for Moving on After Divorce

By Admin Admin | December 13, 2023
Two women talking over coffee.

While divorce may seem like an ending, it can be a gateway to a new beginning. It might be hard for you to know where to start. If you’re looking…

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How Can a Financial Specialist Help in Your Divorce?

By Admin Admin | October 10, 2023
Accountant sitting at desk

Managing your financial situation becomes a central concern when you opt for collaborative divorce or mediation to achieve an amicable marital separation. In this article, we will explore the instrumental…

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Financial Steps to Take When You Are Divorcing

By Admin Admin | September 12, 2023
Woman sitting at table managing finances

Divorce can be financially challenging, but you can navigate it smoothly with the right steps, especially through mediation. At Peace Talks, we specialize in helping couples achieve amicable divorces, including…

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Should You Use Social Media When Going Through a Divorce?

By Admin Admin | May 10, 2023

As digital devices and social media have become a significant part of life, smartphones and social media platforms are also integral part of our everyday lives. People frequently want to…

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Money Mistakes to Avoid When You Divorce

By Admin Admin | March 9, 2023
Woman calculating finances

When couples are divorcing through a litigated court divorce, there is most often chaos and a lot of uncertainty – emotions can run high and hot. But when you and…

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Takeaways From a Pandemic Divorce

By Admin Admin | February 8, 2023
Face mask with rings laying on it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought numerous changes and challenges to our daily lives, and the divorce process is no exception. When you utilize the collaborative divorce model, you have access…

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Creating New Holiday Traditions for Your Family After Divorce

By Admin Admin | December 14, 2022
Baking cookies

Facebook and Instagram would have everyone believing that everyone’s holidays are jolly, bright and perfect! And that can be so very far from the reality of what the holiday season…

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How to Survive the Holiday’s During Divorce

By Admin Admin | November 2, 2022
Woman sitting on couch looking at ipad.

The holidays are a time for family and friends, not for turmoil, but when divorce is part of the equation, it can feel like peace will never be found. Social…

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Reasons Why Baby Boomers May Choose Collaborative Divorce

By Admin Admin | October 13, 2022
Man and woman sitting across from one another.

Baby Boomers were born between 1946-1964 and after World War II ended. They came after the Silent Generation and before Generation X. The Pew Research Center recorded that couples divorcing…

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Protecting Your Child from An Abusive Home

By Admin Admin | October 4, 2022

Child abuse can come in many forms, some of which are unnoticeable at first. For example, a couple going through divorce may be too stressed to notice that they have consistently failed…

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Understanding Spousal Support in California

By Admin Admin | September 14, 2022
Dice stacked on top of one another spelling support.

One of the questions that often arise during the divorce process is how spousal support will be handled and how it will affect the post-divorce financial landscape. When a couple…

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Why You Shouldn’t Hide Assets In Your Divorce

By Admin Admin | August 10, 2022
Figuring assets

If you are looking to divorce your partner using the collaborative divorce process, it is important not to hide any financial assets and be completely transparent.   Couples agree to…

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Importance of Child Therapy During Divorce

By Admin Admin | July 13, 2022
Little girl sitting talking with therapist.

Children are not always open books; it is quite hard to read their emotions sometimes, and they don’t come with an instruction book. And when your family is in the…

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What is marital mediation? Why is it important?

By Admin Admin | June 8, 2022
Couple sitting in front of mediator

Newlyweds often find it hard to think how they will deal with various issues, difficulties, or disagreements during their marriage, especially in the early days of their journey.  But the…

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How to reduce the negative effects of divorce on your children

By Admin Admin | May 11, 2022
Little girl blowing bubbles

The collateral emotional damage that divorce can cause is not just limited to the couple getting the divorce. It also extends to the family’s children, no matter their age. “It…

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Why Is Pre-Marriage Mediation Important?

By Admin Admin | April 13, 2022
Mediation written out with pen laying next to it.

While not on the top of your mind when preparing for a marriage, a pre-marital financial agreement is a task that should be added to the marital to-do list. Many…

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Tips On How To Save for Retirement After Divorce

By Admin Admin | March 17, 2022
Retirement written on a paved road.

When you find yourself on the divorce road, you know in your gut that everything you hold dear will change. You will find yourself with a different financial portfolio, often…

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Financial Impact of Divorce on Women

By Admin Admin | February 9, 2022
Woman figuring out finances.

When you are a woman going through a divorce, you may find that you are financially impacted in ways your male counterpart is not, especially with a court-litigated divorce process.…

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Will I Lose My House During My Divorce?

By Admin Admin | January 12, 2022
Picture of home.

It’s completely understandable to have a million questions swirling around in your head – divorce can be a lonely and grueling space to live in and sometimes you may feel…

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How to Keep Conflict Low During a Divorce

By Admin Admin | January 12, 2022
Woman and man standing back to back

While going through a divorce can be one of life’s most stressful events, that stress can be reduced by keeping the conflict low.  The first step in keeping conflict low…

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Things Parents Should Consider When Divorcing

By Admin Admin | September 8, 2021
Little girl holding mom and dads hand walking down the sidewalk.

When you and your spouse decide it is time to start the divorce process, there are many things to think about and add to your to-do list.  And when the…

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Professional Roles in Collaborative Mediation: Lawyers

By nickeyh | September 6, 2021
Lawyer sitting at desk.

You and your spouse have decided to separate, and you are looking for an amicable split.  What is the best approach? Collaborative Divorce is an alternative option to litigation that…

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The Stages of Grief During Divorce

By Admin Admin | August 12, 2021
Man sitting and thinking.

When going through a divorce, your emotions can feel like a never-ending grief rollercoaster and the ups and downs of this emotional journey can be hard to understand.  What you…

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Tax Filing Status: How will it change with divorce?

By peacetalkadmin | July 1, 2020
Tax Filing Status: How will it change with divorce? - Peace Talks Mediation Services - taxes, tax filing, divorce, collaborative divorce, finances - Photo by Olga DeLawrence on Unsplash

When you and your spouse decide to utilize a collaborative divorce approach, both of you will have access to neutral financial mediators. Financial mediators can help prepare schedules that project…

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Alimony – How New Tax Rules Can Affect It

By peacetalkadmin | June 6, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, federal tax filings have been extended until July 15, 2020. Often couples are blindsided by the tax impact of getting a divorce, but when you…

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Creating a Financial Plan for Temporary Finances While Going through the Coronavirus

By peacetalkadmin | May 6, 2020

The novel coronavirus has not only sickened many, but it has also cut off our various income streams, and our financial security is at risk. And if you find yourself…

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Can the Coronavirus Affect Child Custody?

By peacetalkadmin | April 15, 2020

While we battle the COVID-19 virus, even though it seems the world has stopped, there are still many other high stressors at play, such as families who are trying to…

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Helping You Divorce During the Coronavirus

By peacetalkadmin | March 18, 2020

Going through a divorce can be difficult enough, but adding the Coronavirus to the mix can make it more challenging. Peace-Talks Mediation Services is here to help you through this…

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How a Co-Parenting Plan Can Help You

By peacetalkadmin | March 11, 2020

Divorce can be extremely emotionally draining on the spouses, but more often than not, the toll it takes on the children in the family is often overlooked. But did you…

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Creating a New You After Divorce

By peacetalkadmin | February 19, 2020

“Out with the old, in with the new” is a famous quote that refers to a person making personal changes in their life. After a divorce, many people struggle to…

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Starting a New Year After Divorce

By peacetalkadmin | December 23, 2019

As 2019 wound down, and your divorce was finalized, you may find yourself asking many questions, some of which may be: How can I make the most of 2020 as…

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What to Ask the Mediator

By peacetalkadmin | October 16, 2019

Divorce mediators can make or break a divorce agreement. In order work with an effective divorce facilitator, you and your soon-to-be-ex need to vet them by asking a series of…

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Why You Should Hire a Divorce Mediator

By peacetalkadmin | September 11, 2019

Life is full of twist and turns! Often, we don’t know what road we should go down. The “divorce” road is filled with enormous potholes that wreak havoc on custody,…

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Tips on How to Tell Your Children You Are Getting a Divorce

By peacetalkadmin | June 19, 2019

One of the hardest moments in a divorce is sharing with your children that you and your spouse will be separating. It’s so hard to know how to start and…

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How Does A Divorce Change Your Finances?

By peacetalkadmin | May 22, 2019
How Does A Divorce Change Your Finances? - Peace Talks Mediation Services - Divorce, Divorce Mediation, Finances - Copyright: dolgachov / 123RF Stock Photo

Are you in the very beginning stages of getting a divorce? Concerned at what your financial landscape will look like once your separation has been finalized? One thing is for…

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Getting A Trust For The Sake of the Kids

By peacetalkadmin | April 10, 2019

If You Have Children, You Should Get a Trust! For most of us, our children are our most precious “possessions”. At Peace Talks Mediation, we feel the exact same way…

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Protect Your Children: Get a Will!

By peacetalkadmin | March 20, 2019

While many of us may believe that estate planning is only for the rich or the elderly, you should know that this process is essential if you have children. At…

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Tax Breaks for the Divorced Circa 2019

By Stephanie | March 5, 2019

“Lower tax-refunds” has been a subject in the news a lot recently. It is something that that’s a real issue for most people paying taxes. The fact that less tax…

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Parkland Mom’s Valentine

By Stephanie | February 15, 2019

In every family situation as soon as couples walk through the PeaceTalks door they want to know how to protect the children. It’s always about the kids first and last…

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Divorce Mediation Primer

By Stephanie | January 29, 2019

I came across a nice synopsis of why mediation for your divorce may be the smartest choice. It is safe to say that most couples facing divorce expect the experience…

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Creative Co-Parenting

By Stephanie | January 24, 2019

One of the great dynamics that we participate in at our Divorce Mediation sessions at PeaceTalks is the age-old mantra “necessity is the mother of invention.” Once we’re able to establish…

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Amazon Fairness and Divorce, Oh My!

By Stephanie | January 21, 2019

For anyone who can’t let go of that “Money=Happiness” thing, just read and be kind of glad that you don’t have so much money that God borrows from you. The divorce…

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Less Painful Divorces

By Stephanie | January 21, 2019

With just less than half of married partners ending in divorce, therapists over time have developed some suggestions for making the process possibly less painful for everyone. You will see…

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Divorce Mediation Means Talking

By Stephanie | January 21, 2019

In getting to a mutually agreeable divorce settlement we make progress, literally, by getting couples to communicate with each other. Many couples find it difficult to communicate. Our therapist mediator will…

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Amazon Fairness and Divorce, Oh My!

By Stephanie | January 17, 2019

For anyone who can’t let go of that “Money=Happiness” thing, just read and be kind of glad that you don’t have so much money that God borrows from you. The divorce…

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Change In Divorce Mediation for 2019

By Stephanie | January 3, 2019

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a new law that changes the California Evidence Code that requires attorneys representing clients in mediation to provide disclosures in writing about mediation confidentiality. The…

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Post Divorce Portfolio Balancing Act

By Stephanie | December 31, 2018

All investors review their investments annually, and in light of the market’s recent volatility, it would be wise to review your investments soon as the new tax laws may affect…

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Should We Try Mediation?

By Stephanie | December 28, 2018

The following was excerpted from an article in the Boston Herald by Wendy Hickey Should We Try Mediation? The answer is yes for most people. The majority of couples we see…

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Take A Cell Holiday

By Stephanie | December 24, 2018

Impossible as it sounds there are people that swear by this strategy, even for short bursts of time, to alleviate the insidious stress of constant interaction and relentless, shifting deadlines.…

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Christmas Magic Before and After Divorce

By Stephanie | December 20, 2018

There are some great points in this article (link below) that are very relevant to both children of the before group as well as those dealing annually with the “split family” holiday…

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More Divorce Mediator Tips

By Stephanie | December 18, 2018

Here’s a couple more tips from the article I saw by Oren Kaufmann on the Mediate.com website. Don’t be penny wise and pound-foolish. Imagine the following not so unusual scenario. You…

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Mediator Tips On Divorce Difficulties

By Stephanie | December 13, 2018

There are a lot of commonalities with divorce and lessons from shared experiences can be extremely helpful when going through extremely stressful situations like divorce negotiations. Some great suggestions were…

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A Potential Tax Move For 2018 Divorce

By Stephanie | December 10, 2018

As the commercial says “I’m not a tax advisor and I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night…” but a piece by Dan Caplinger from The Motley Fool might…

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Divorce Mediation Misconceptions

By Stephanie | December 8, 2018

I came across an article in Divorce Magazine by Susan E. Guthrie that echoed familiar misconceptions that we come across at PeaceTalks, as do many of our colleagues. Here are a…

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Taking Stock In Your Divorce

By Stephanie | December 7, 2018

In light of the changes in the tax laws and the recent roller coaster volatility in the stock market it might be prudent to talk with your financial advisor about…

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Creative Not Clueless Divorce

By Stephanie | November 30, 2018

Besides the slight “Dog Bites Man” slant to another celebrity divorce, with the wife paying alimony, I want to highlight another example of the kind of “creative agreements” that PeaceTalks encourages…

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Overstaying In A Bad Marriage

By Stephanie | November 26, 2018

I came across this article and recognized some of the dynamics as themes that we see at PeaceTalks on a regular and all too frequent basis. It sometimes helps if…

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Sowing Holiday Seeds

By Stephanie | November 22, 2018

I hope we all have a happy and safe holiday in the midst of whatever inevitable stress pops up. If you have contact with any young people that are suddenly curious…

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Celebrity Divorces and Mediation

By Stephanie | November 20, 2018

I came across an article by Jill Stanley, who covers celebrity legal stories, as to why some celebrities choose mediation for their divorce process. Using some couples from Malibu as a general…

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Giving and Saying Thanks

By Stephanie | November 20, 2018

Whether you are in or out of a divorce, the holidays are challenging enough without constant pictures of hellfire and smoky air in your eyes. It can be tough find…

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Quotes From Divorce Veterans

By Stephanie | November 14, 2018

There was an article in the Sunday LA Times by Ben Steverman of Bloomberg News with some very clear advice from some divorce professionals that have been doing this for…

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Seeking Relief From Burning Questions

By Stephanie | November 10, 2018

If you have kids that have been affected by the shooting in Thousand Oaks, or the fires that eventually threatened Malibu and you are looking for referrals please call the…

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What to Ask the Mediator

By Stephanie | November 9, 2018

For people screening referrals they have received to mediation services some questions are best dealt with at the very beginning of the process. Even couples that may have already made…

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Co-Parenting Before and After Divorce

By Stephanie | November 7, 2018

From the time that the emotional separation begins on the path to a divorce there will be transition period while still sharing the house and marking the beginning of the…

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Divorce Last Minute Loophole

By Stephanie | November 7, 2018

For anyone that is still facing the December 31 deadline for filing here’s some possible relief from some of that anxiety. A lot of people have come to Peace Talks worried,…

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Divorce and IRA’s – Watch Your Assets

By Stephanie | October 25, 2018

Understanding different types of retirement assets, and the costs and taxes associated with each, when liquidated, can help you make informed decisions. Always consult with your financial and tax advisors during…

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Money, Debt and Divorce

By Stephanie | October 23, 2018

Dividing Debts in Divorce One of the bad surprises that we see in the divorce process is the amount of money that is owed by both parties as individuals, and…

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Divorce TV Style

By Stephanie | October 19, 2018

I get a kick out of how many people come to Peace Talks and talk about their divorce concerns and situations referencing plot lines from television shows. Being in Los Angeles…

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Divorce Lawyer Secrets

By Stephanie | October 18, 2018

Peace Talks, by definition, gives people the opportunity to talk about everything that is relevant to reaching an amicable agreement. This applies, as well, to all the legal advisors that come…

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Co-Parenting: Your Own Way Is Best

By Stephanie | October 11, 2018

Fortunately, most of the couples we see at Peace Talks are already focused on the common goal of an amicable agreement, the only choice that is always best for the…

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Divorce – Ready or Not?

By Stephanie | October 10, 2018

Recently, I’ve been encountering a lot of feedback related to people “rushing” to a divorce, before being informed, as to what needs to be done ahead of time. Here are some…

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Common Questions About Divorce

By Stephanie | October 4, 2018

Here are a few of the questions that come up most often when people are their evaluating their options in relation to the divorce process. If you have some questions…

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New Tax Law Prompting Flood of Accelerated Divorces

By Stephanie | September 27, 2018

New tax law prompting flood of accelerated divorces as Dec. 31 deadline looms David Garrick, The San Diego Union-Tribune The term “accelerated divorces” got my attention yesterday when an edited…

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Divorce Does Not Equal Failure

By Stephanie | September 26, 2018

Divorce isn’t a failure, therapists say. In fact, it could mean the marriage was a success. The overwhelming feeling of failureis almost impossible to avoid when divorce becomes a reality.…

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Mediation vs. Arbitration

By Stephanie | September 21, 2018

These two terms are being tossed around a lot as people prepare to meet the December 31st deadline for divorce related paperwork and try to avoid going to court. I’ve…

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Stress Rehearsal

By Stephanie | September 17, 2018

Every now and then even a “general” survey can be of use for a “specific” purpose. Dr. Grande highlights four common stress sources, from the Harris Interactive survey, for couples…

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More Sleep, Less Screen for Kids

By Stephanie | September 13, 2018

I don’t know how to get the kids more sleep but this letter certainly presents a solid case for making it a cooperative priority whenever physically possible. This response to…

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Some Co-Parenting Needs an Assist

By Stephanie | September 6, 2018

One of the most frustrating constants we see in Divorce Mediation is that a surprising percentage of the children involved will have adjustment issues that will need to be addressed…

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Family Disputes: Money Matters

By Stephanie | September 4, 2018

Of all the issues that come up with co-parenting “families of divorce” none are as insidious or downright ugly as “matters of money”. Having attained status as a C.F.P. over…

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Notes On Divorce and Tax Changes

By Stephanie | August 30, 2018

This article by Dr. Halem seemed very timely as we hit the Labor Day weekend and all too soon will be staring Halloween and Thanksgiving in the face. I really…

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Divorced Dads and Poor Health

By Stephanie | August 26, 2018

This recent article from Divorce Magazine caught my attention because it highlights a very real problem that plagues a significant percentage of divorces in general. I have heard some long-time professionals…

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Divorce and the 2018 Tax Law Change Snapshot

By Stephanie | August 13, 2018

I came across this exchange with Jim Tankersley who covers economic and tax policy for The New York Times and Ailsa Chang from NPR. Jim gives a nice summary of the…

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Divorce-A Coach Might Help

By Stephanie | July 9, 2018

At Peace Talks we have been doing a lot of “coaching” with the overwhelming process of divorce, from divorcing parents and premaritals as well as legal and psychological practitioners. Here’s…

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Helping with the City Homeless Problem

By Stephanie | June 12, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney Lately the media has been overwhelmed with this problem and the getting rid of the trash that goes along with it. It’s a Herculean task that’s long…

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Divorce And Suicide – All Too Related

By Stephanie | June 7, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney Even if you don’t shop for “Designer” fashions there’s a good chance the name “Kate Spade” is one you’ve seen somewhere before her recent suicide. Suicide is…

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“Free-Range” Parenting

By Stephanie | June 5, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney It seems that childcare and its “do’s and “don’ts” keeps coming up as one of the most emotional issues dividing couples that are co-parenting even with only…

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Will “Calendar Crush” Push “Hybrid Settlement”?

By Stephanie | June 1, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney If you are getting a divorce before the end of 2018 you should be aware of the 30th of June as the final day to file your paperwork.  If…

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Tax overhaul may throw a wrench in your Prenup

By Stephanie | May 29, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney An article by Ben Steverman (Bloomberg News) from Sunday’s LA Times dealt with some tax-related issues that are going to affect a lot of divorced couples and…

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Keeping Faith With Your Hopeful Charities

By Stephanie | May 21, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney I saw this piece and was shocked. Bryan McQueeney is the chief executive of the nonprofit Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship in Los Angeles and he sums up…

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Interest Rising In Credit Rates

By Stephanie | May 17, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney Once in a while, something related to my previous incarnation in the investment world catches my attention, especially when it relates to the credit markets. A piece…

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Women: Separate But Not Equal Pay

By Stephanie | May 14, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney Since I get reminded on a daily basis of why a lot of moms are finding it harder to celebrate things sometimes this seemed a bright piece…

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The People “Nextdoor”

By Stephanie | May 9, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney There was a recent article by Joel Stein about “Nextdoor” the social networking service and requisite letters in response representing various points of view. Since one of…

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Banking on the Post Office

By Stephanie | May 3, 2018

There was a piece by the LA Times contributor David Lazarus the other day about the possibility of a “Postal Bank”. NY Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced legislation to allow the…

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Teach Your Children Well By Treating Teachers Better

By Stephanie | May 1, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney When Crosby, Stills, and Nash sang their song they had no idea that the people actually teaching our kids were in danger themselves. They may have to…

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Mental Health First Aid

By Stephanie | April 26, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney Living by “The Venice Beach Boardwalk” for the past twenty years has provided my family many opportunities to experience a wide spectrum of residents and visitors. As co-parents,…

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Apps That Spy on Kids?

By Stephanie | April 20, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney I’m a technology fan but there are times when we have to pay close attention to “the little man behind the curtain.” According to researchers, from UC…

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Women’s Place is in “The House”

By Stephanie | April 17, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney Apparently, women have had enough of being on “the short end of the stick” when it comes political policy in this country. A record number of women — 309…

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Throwing The Book at The Face

By Stephanie | April 13, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney Mark Zuckerberg has kind of been the “Bill Gates of Social Media” in bringing his “dorm dream” of Free Global Connectivity to reality through his creation of…

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Temporary “Phonelessness” Is OK

By Stephanie | April 10, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney Co-parenting is tough enough without having to wonder if you’re one text away from that phone call from the Highway Patrol. Nobody wants to be the cop…

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The Small Outdoors

By Stephanie | April 3, 2018

by Stephanie Maloney Here it is again that time to start getting out and planning out some “away from the house” time. It seems to get tougher each year so…

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