Support Groups for Divorce Recovery

What is a Divorce Recovery Support Group?

As the name suggests, it is a support group for divorcer. The group comprises of many divorcers who get together under the trained guidance of therapists and divorce counsellors to discuss their mutual situations. The group provides support and guidance to divorcers about their newfound life status. The group follows a format of discussion, introspection and frank communication.

Divorcers are encouraged to talk about their personal divorce experiences. A feeling of companionship is created. Divorcers share and give advice to each other. The divorce recovery support group is based on the knowledge that shared information and advice among fellow members have more impact than individual professional intervention. Divorcers get to know where they went wrong and where they are going wrong. The group also acts as a meeting place. Divorcers meet like-minded people and are able to strike friendships.

Objectives

Set Short Term and Long Term Goals: The divorce recovery support group helps a divorcer to devise a new plan for his or her new life. It helps the divorcer to adjust to the new situation. It propels the divorcer to look within and chart new priorities and expectations. These include:

Dealing with Child Custody Issues: The group helps the divorcer to come to terms with reality. It teaches the individual acceptance especially in the case of child custody. The divorcer realizes that he or she should not divorce the child. The child should always form top priority no matter what the situation. The divorcer has to keep in constant touch with the child. The divorcer outlines following guidelines after opening up to members of the recovery group:


Continuous direct communication through physical visits, emails, phones and letters


Conducting a cordial relationship with ex in front of child


Not criticizing or abusing, blaming ex in front of child


Maintaining and following court ordered visitation schedules regularly


Being actively involved in child's life


Ensuring child knows everything about your new life

Developing Financial Goals: The divorcer has to create new financial targets. These fall into three categories of short-term and immediate targets, medium and long-term goals. The divorcer determines these goals in accordance with importance. He or she has to decide what has to be achieved at once and what can be achieved slowly. The recovery group helps the divorcer realize that the achievement of short-term goals ensures the fulfilment of long-term goals.

Short-term Goals


Setting up individual bank account


Reverting to maiden name on important documents


Changing residence and leasing a house which will have a separate room for the child


Applying for individual credit card


Seeking a change in professional work status


Reducing expenses

Long-term and Medium Goals


Meeting new people and developing/ widening social circle


Dating leading to physically intimate encounters


Remarrying


Getting involved in enjoyable hobbies and interests


Making new investments i.e. purchasing a new house


Investing in bonds and financial schemes to increase personal income


Setting up a child maintenance trust

Physical Changes: The recovery group holds that a divorcer has to let go of emotional baggage before starting a new chapter of life. Getting a physical makeover forms a big part of this initiative. The support group forces a divorcer to quit depression and regain self-esteem. Usually, groups of divorcers visit a parlour and get a makeover done at the same time. This increases the communal feeling of not being alone. It also allows the divorcer to share private marital information in a non-structured environment.

The logic is that a physical change helps the divorcer to regain his or her self-belief and confidence. Adjustment on an emotional and cognitive level can only come if the individual feels confident about physical self.

Online Divorce Recovery Groups: Nowadays online divorce recovery groups are making headway. These groups do not focus on a single area. They deal with divorcers during and after divorce. They provide online lectures on life post-divorce. The online classes also help divorcers to be informed about divorce law and amendments.

Usually, divorcers and individuals intending to get divorced, divorce counsellors and therapists form part of the group. Online recovery groups afford privacy and convenience. It often happens that divorcers or couples trying to file papers feel embarrassed about face-to-face contact. It could also be that some divorcers feel ashamed to talk about personal feelings and thoughts in front of other people. Online groups step in allowing the individual to heal oneself privately.

The group provides information about legal procedures and documents. It also garners support for populous issues of child custody and spousal maintenance.


Article Source: http://marketing.article24h.com/category/relationship.html
Author: James Walsh
James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you would like more information on how to get a quickie Divorce see http://www.quickie-divorce.com

What Must Be Done To Get A Good Divorce Lawyer?

A divorce is an immensely stressful affair. The marriage that defines who you are is now finished. Decisions that impact your life are being made such as the division of your assets, alimony, and child custody.

But the most difficult decision of all is your choice of a divorce lawyer. The outcome of the divorce is determined by your decision. A poor choice on your part can potentially ruin your life.

You need to choose a lawyer who's an experienced specialist in family law. Do some research when conducting your search for a lawyer. Don't hesitate to ask acquaintances, friends, and relatives. A good divorce lawyer should have no trouble giving you lots of great references.

When you interview a lawyer, tell him the facts of your case and ask for an estimate of the total cost of the case. Lawyers typically charge by the hour and may ask you to disburse a retainer fee up front. Interview a number of lawyers before making your final choice.

Subjects to inquire about are:

1.) The years of experience that he has practiced in family law.

2.) The exact steps of the divorce process, the time frame of the case as well related legalities.

3.) What the filing fee will be as well as other additional fees such as the fees of legal assistants.

4.) The retainer agreement policy of the lawyer.

5.) The billing interval of the lawyer.

A good lawyer will have no difficulty answering all of your questions in easy to understand lay terms. He should readily anticipate many of your questions and should easily bring up additional concerns that you have not considered.

He should have a personality that you can comfortably work with. If there is anything that you dislike about him, interview some more lawyers.

The lawyer selection process should be completed before your case starts. Your case may be harmed if your lawyer is changed after the case has begun. You ought to be working as a team when the case begins so do your best to assist and cooperate with him.


About the Author:
Marc Sandford
Looking for more free information and advice? Don't let your divorce ruin your life.
Divorce Strategies For Men: http://www.divorceadviceformentoday.com
Get the Tips, Information and the Divorce Advice that you need: http://www.divorceadviceformentoday.com

Child Custody – Does Your Income Affect Your Legal Ability to Gain Custody of Your Child?

It is common to see people make the argument that if you cannot afford to take care of your child then you should not be allowed to have custody. There are also those who believe that custody should be decided on which parent makes the most money. While that may seem like a proper argument to some, other's believe income should have no bearing on custody matters. But all that matters is how the court will view this matter.

It truly amazes me that we are bombarded by TV, news, internet, and everywhere we look with people who believe that because they make more money than the other parent they should be awarded custody of their child. There is far more to being a great parent than providing cash. Seriously, if they are that concerned they can kick down extra cash to the other parent to help their child have a relationship with the other parent. Of course that isn’t really the issue is it?

Income differences between parents are not accepted in court as a reason to award custody or visitation schedules. Plain and simple. That isn’t to say that the ability to provide a good home is not an issue. But the difference in incomes or lack of is not reason to make custody decisions. If you have the means to care for your child, including child support, alimony, public assistance, roommates, and any other creative means, then income is not an issue.

The good news is that judges are not going to spend much time on this issue in a courtroom. If one parent raises the issue a judge is most likely going to ask about it to verify that the child will be in a safe and appropriate environment. You should be prepared to answer truthfully but shortly. The reason you want to be short about this is that you have limited time with the judge and you will want to spend that time on more productive issues.

So do not let the other parent scare you into thinking that they have a big edge because they out earn you. The truth is that if they can get you to focus on that issue, they can get you on the larger issue of custody and make you feel relieved to get something. Stay focused on your most important issue, the visitation schedule, and be ready to refocus the courts attention there instead. You will like the results much better if you do.

Ed Brooks knows firsthand how painful a High Conflict Child Custody battle can be. Ed has created a site where parents can get advice on how to handle all aspects of a high conflict Child Custody battle.
http://www.child-custody-forum.com

The Truth About Common Law Marriage

A great deal of people believe if they live together 6 to 10 years they will be considered married in the eyes of the law, but the fact is, it’s not true. There is a difference between common law marriage and cohabitation. In some cases if you are a cohabitant, you could be considered single and in some cases if you are common law married you are considered married as if you did it the traditional way. So the question is how do I know if I am legally married or considered single under the law. Only certain states recognize Common law marriages, including the District of Columbia, Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. If you live in a Common law situation it rests upon you to find out if your state recognizes your relationship as it does legal marriage in the law. If your state recognizes your common law marriage, you and your mate must enter into a written or oral agreement to live as a husband and wife, and appear to others, as you are a married couple. Introduced to others as a wife or a husband and are considered a married couple. How long you have been together will determine if you are recognized under state law. At this time, for the most part Common law marriages typically are limited to heterosexual couples. If you live in a state that recognizes common relationships and do not want the state to consider you as married, you need to see your attorney to draw up a document that establishes the facts and protects the parties involved.

About the author:
Jeffrey Broobin is a free-lance writer on family and finance issues; his main goal is to help people during their complicated period of life.
Website: http://www.legalhelpmate.com