Blog - Pensacola Florida Family Law Mediation

Have peace of mind with a healthcare directive and financial POA

Christine Sue Cook July 20, 2022

A major change to your life can happen at any time. You could suffer a head injury in a vehicle accident or become incapacitated due to a serious illness. A healthcare directive and a financial power of attorney (POA) are two estate planning tools that will ease your mind if…

Should time-sharing plans have first right of refusal clauses?

Christine Sue Cook July 10, 2022

Few things in life have the potential to be more heart-wrenching than a child custody dispute. If you are going through a divorce, negotiating a time-sharing agreement may give you more control. That is, if you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse can come up with an acceptable plan, a judge is…

Will collaborative divorce work?

Christine Sue Cook June 22, 2022

Collaborative divorce has seen an uptick in support from divorce advocates and attorneys across the board in recent years. More people find what they need within it. But how does collaborative divorce work? More importantly, how do you know it will work for your family? Do you need to agree…

What may I accomplish by creating a living trust?

Christine Sue Cook June 8, 2022

Floridians often refer to a revocable trust as a “living” trust because of its use during your lifetime. A living trust, for example, serves as an estate planning tool that may also help you manage your assets now. The Florida Bar notes that a trust may also prevent you or…

Court backlogs make collaborative divorce options more attractive

Christine Sue Cook May 24, 2022

Recently passed legislation awaiting the governor's signature or veto has the Florida court systems backing up with divorce cases. One way to avoid the backlog is to pursue a collaborative divorce. What is collaborative divorce and how can it help you avoid court? Reason for the backlog The Florida legislature…

Can you share your vacation home with your ex-spouse?

Christine Sue Cook May 9, 2022

If you are going through a divorce, you likely understand the importance of coming up with a fair settlement. After all, both you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse worked hard to build your marital estate. This is true even if you chose to stay home and raise your kids instead of…

How can you cope with a divorce from a narcissist?

Christine Sue Cook May 3, 2022

Divorce is difficult for all couples, even those who had a good relationship beforehand. Couples who divorce on friendly terms still have trouble acclimating to life after and they may still find themselves amidst disagreements. When divorcing a narcissist, however, the struggle tends to be worse. According to Psychology Today,…

Align your estate plan with your future goals

Christine Sue Cook April 30, 2022

Estate planning is something you might easily overlook, particularly if you feel comfortable and content with your life. However, choosing to plan ahead, long before you need to, can help you protect what matters to you. Creating an estate plan that aligns with your future goals allows you to optimize…

Dignity

Christine Sue Cook April 1, 2022

Where did dignity go? There is no dignity in anything anymore. Whether you think politics have always been sh*t (they have), the absolute lack of dignity is appalling. Regardless of the tribe to which you subscribe. People have no shame. When has it ever been moderately acceptable to bully someone…

Will nesting work for you?

Christine Sue Cook March 27, 2022

When you are deciding what to do about your housing situation after your divorce, consider some alternatives to the traditional methods. Bird nesting is one such option. If you and your co-parent still get along decently, this is a good option to consider. First, make sure you understand how this…

Pensacola, Florida Family Law Blog