AskFreya

Children of Divorce Share Their Thoughts

shoffnerlaw — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:31:36 +0000

There is a right way to talk to your children about your divorce. And, there is a wrong way to talk to your children about your divorce. Of course, the cardinal rule is never to criticize the other parent in front of the children, and this rule applies whether or not you are divorced. Unfortunately, the stress of separation and divorce often causes parents to forget that rule and to share their anger and frustration with their children. When you do that, your children can begin to feel that they are not allowed to love both parents, and they can actually internalize that pain and end up blaming themselves for the divorce.

To see how divorce affects children watch and listen as these children of divorce share their thoughts with Oprah. Then consider attending — or re-attending — a parent education program to help make sure you avoid the pitfalls.

The Surrogacy Discussion Continues

shoffnerlaw — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:28:32 +0000

Tuesday, Dr. Phil’s show focused on some of surrogacy’s key issues. View the show and share your thoughts.

http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1415

Considering Surrogacy

shoffnerlaw — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:46:30 +0000

A woman who carries a child for another, usually an infertile couple, is known as a surrogate mother. Making a decision to become a surrogate mother or hiring a surrogate requires a lot of planning, thought, and preparation. Becoming educated will help to alleviate some of the anxiety and disappointment that may result.

There are two types of surrogacy, traditional and gestational. The traditional type of surrogacy involves the surrogate mother being (AI) artificially inseminated with the sperm of the intended father or sperm from a donor when the sperm count is low. In either case the surrogate’s own egg will be used. Genetically the surrogate becomes the mother of the resulting child. Gracey P. Storey “Ethical Problems Surrounding Surrogate Motherhood.”

As you consider the challenges of surrogacy, whether you are a prospective surrogate, or you are considering surrogacy as a way to have a child, listen to the audio transcript from ART: Talking to Children About Assisted Reproductive Technology. The more you know, the better able you will be to make the right decision.

Also consider viewing the Dr. Phil show, on February, 23. His guest will be Bill Handel, the director and founder of the Center for Surrogate Parenting.

Does My Child Support Obligation End At Age Eighteen?

shoffnerlaw — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:45:20 +0000

Not necessarily. If you child attends college, or if your child lives with one of you and is principally dependent, then the child support obligation may continue until your child is twenty-one or even twenty-three. You’ll find the full text of the statute at Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208 Section 28, and the relevant part reads:

“The court may make appropriate orders of maintenance, support and education of any child who has attained age eighteen but who has not attained age twenty-one and who is domiciled in the home of a parent, and is principally dependent upon said parent for maintenance. The court may make appropriate orders of maintenance, support and education for any child who has attained age twenty-one but who has not attained age twenty-three, if such child is domiciled in the home of a parent, and is principally dependent upon said parent for maintenance due to the enrollment of such child in an educational program, excluding educational costs beyond an undergraduate degree.”