If you're spending a holiday without your kids, consider recreating a holiday experience when your kids return. Wear pajamas, open gifts, and have a big breakfast no matter the time of day. For Thanksgiving, you could host a Friendsgiving with your kids' friends or loved ones. The key is to make the time together enjoyable and memorable, even if you weren't together on the exact holiday.

For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com.

When co-parents express a desire to spend holidays together, it's often a positive sign, especially for the children. However, it would be wise to add a default provision to your agreement in case it doesn't work out in the future. With a clear plan in place, you won’t need to return to mediation to revise your arrangement.

For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com.

The complexities of holiday scheduling for separated parents can be overwhelming. In mediation, parents can choose a particular holiday that holds special significance for them, and negotiate to celebrate that holiday every year. If both parents prioritize the same holiday, they can split it—one parent has the children the night before and the first half of the holiday, while the other takes over the second half and overnight. Mediation allows for flexible, creative solutions that consider the needs and interests of both parents.

For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com.

This video shares insights for separated parents on creating holiday schedules that accommodate both parties. It begins with a common approach: alternating holidays each year—one parent takes even years, the other odd years. This straightforward method is fair and easy to manage. However, life changes may require flexibility, such as visiting relatives or blending schedules with new partners' families.

For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com.

Couples should use caution when considering drafting their separation agreement. While it might seem cost-effective, mediators provide more than just a template — they offer legal information, help evaluate options, and ensure both parties understand the consequences of their decisions. Without mediation, an agreement might be rejected by the court or lead to future disputes which can result in greater legal costs than if mediation had been used initially.

For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com.

Three key points for couples considering a prenuptial agreement:

1. Mediation over Adversarial Processes
2. Start Early
3. Clear Communication

Mediation fosters mutual understanding and better cooperation.

For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com.

In mediation, instead of making proposals based on the co-parent you want your spouse to become, focus on the reality of who they are now. Build a parenting plan that allows for future adjustments based on specific, achievable metrics. Additionally, be open to your spouse changing after the divorce. Offer encouragement and acknowledgment when positive steps are made. Working with a co-parenting coach or child specialist can be helpful if more support is needed.

For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com.

In some cases, people going through a divorce may need to re-enter the job market, especially if spousal support will eventually end. A career coach can help these individuals by setting goals and priorities, providing concrete steps, and reducing anxiety about the future. This support enables clients to focus on mediation agreements without being overwhelmed by worries about their career path.

For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — www.clarepiromediation.com.

Including a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in a separation agreement for future child support modifications can be beneficial in several situations. Typically, child support is modified based on the current incomes of both parties, using the statutory formula under the Child Support Guidelines. However, a COLA adjusts the monthly child support amount according to the increase in the cost of living from the last modification date.

For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — www.clarepiromediation.com.

This video discusses using income averaging to determine child support when income fluctuates yearly. Averaging a few years of income can be a simple approach for calculating initial child support and can also be included in separation agreements for future modifications. However, if there's a significant income variation (20-30% or more), averaging may not accurately reflect the needs of the children or the payer's ability to pay.

For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com.