Why Katy Perry’s “Roar” Can Be Powerful Against Narcissistic Abuse

It is very likely you know someone who exhibits narcissistic tendencies. The person who feels they are always right, lacks empathy for others, and is obsessed with power and control. Most of the time, we can ignore those tendencies, overlook them other times, and in many cases, just avoid the person entirely. However, when you …

Will I Pay Less Child Support If I Pay For Private School Tuition?

How much child support a parent owes and what can be taken as a credit towards child support obligations are common questions in family law matters.  A large expense, which could result in a large child support deduction — or even its elimination, comes from payment of private school tuition. In Tennessee, child support awards …

What Income Counts Towards Child Support Obligations?

A common misperception in divorce cases has to do with what income is considered when determining child support. Some people believe it is the amount of their paycheck which is determinative. Others ask whether the value of certain assets, like a home, may be considered. Tennessee law requires the “gross” income of the parties be …

Same-Sex Partners – Child Custody Land Mines

The recent decision of Compher v. Whitfield from the Tennessee Court of Appeals is a prime example of how far child custody law in Tennessee has to go to catch up with today’s same-sex partner realities. In Compher, two women were in a same-sex domestic partnership. In approximately 2009/2010, the parties decided to have a child together. The …

Heard/Depp Trial: 3 Lessons Learned For Your Family Law Case

For weeks we were intrigued by the news and headlines of the court proceedings involving the defamation action by Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard. We watched their lives behind closed doors as a married couple play out to audiences everywhere. However, the lessons learned from that trial are not unique to celebrity couples. …

“But It’s Legal in Michigan, So It Can’t Be Used Against Me…Right?” – Marijuana Use in Custody and Parenting Time Matters

In case you live under a rock, marijuana is legal in Michigan for both medicinal and recreational use. However, a stigma remains around marijuana use and the user that continues to evolve. The long-existing public perception of the squinting stoner on the couch devouring a bag of chips remains a problematic stereotype to overcome, especially …

Three Ways to Ensure Text Messages Are Relevant in Custody Cases

You have hundreds of text messages between you and the other parent. You hand them all over to your lawyer, expecting the lawyer to be ecstatic that you can show every cancellation of parenting time, refusal to take the child to the doctor when sick, and general uncooperativeness. Yet, after pouring through them, the attorney …

Five Tips for Making the Holidays Less Stressful for Separated or Divorced Parents

The holidays are here, and with the season, a certain amount of family stress is expected.  However, if you have a child and are recently separated or divorced from your child’s other parent, understanding and helping the stress your child will undoubtedly feel during this time is important.  For you, it may be a sense …