WeParent

Getting Started

December 20, 2008 by admin  

Comments Off

New to WeParent and curious about what we have to offer?  Here’s the short list:

Community

There are lots of ways to connect with other parents and parent advisers.  Check out our blogs Fatherhood Freestyle and MamaSpeak, where parents just like you share their thoughts and experiences with parenting and co-parenting.  Be sure to join in the discussion by leaving your comments.

Be sure to join WeParent Connect, where you’ll find a network of parents supporting one another through personal blogs, forums and interest groups.  Start your own blog, share your co-parenting tips, and build a network of support.

And, if you’re interested in meeting with other parents beyond the virtual world, join our WeParent Meetup.

Expert Advice

Need some professional advice or just want to hear what the experts are saying?  Check out our column, Words from the Wise, where your letters are answered by professionals and veteran co-parents.

Education

Every week, you’ll find new articles offering tips, facts and guidance on parenting and co-parenting.

All this and more…We’re just getting started, but in the months to come, we’ll be bringing you more tools to support you and your parenting partnerships.  And, if you have suggestions, we’re all ears.  Just drop us a note through our Contact Us form.

Words from the Wise: Should I Take Him to Court?

December 13, 2008 by WeParent  

judge2Dear WftW,

My son’s father and I get along really well.  We have a visitation schedule that works well for both of us.  He’s very present and active in our child’s life, and when he is able (which had been fewer than five times in the past year-and-a-half), he gives me money or covers some of  the expenses of caring for our child.  Things aren’t perfect, but all-in-all, they are pretty good.  I’d like to have more financial support, but the other ways he helps really does make a difference.  Should I still file a child support order and get the courts involved in our lives?

Lisa
Atlanta, GA
 
 

Dear Lisa:

Let me congratulate you on the good working relationship that you have established with your son’s father. That is a major breakthrough in any conflict that you may have with a co-parent. Your question boils down to this:  Should I risk creating a bad relationship with my son’s father by bringing in a third party (court) and obtaining a child support order against him?

First, let me comfort you by saying that there is nothing wrong with your desire to have consistent contributory support from the father.  Support from both parents is a duty under the law of most, if not all, states.  Money is essential in taking care of the child’s daily necessities.  Additionally, it finances a quality of life for the child that is not always easy for a single parent to provide alone. Support from the other parent helps with additional activities such as tutoring, sports, band, camp.  There is no doubt that socialization and learning in these different activities develop a well-rounded child.

Second, let me encourage you by saying that you are wise to recognize that money is not the only valuable thing that develops a healthy child.  The consistent presence of a father in a child’s life is something that no amount of money could ever replace. So before you act, be sure to weigh the impact that any conflict between mom and dad will have upon the father child relationship.

My advice to you would be to complete a Financial Affidavit. You may find the form here.  Pay particular attention to the “Children’s Expenses” section of the form. It is simply a monthly accounting of your expenses for the child such as: food, clothing, medication, lunch money, daycare, after school care, tuition, school activities, grooming, sports, etc.  It would be a good idea to gather receipts, bank records and canceled checks to substantiate these expenses.

Establish a time and place to sit down with your child’s father and share with him the Financial Affidavit and Child’s Expenses.  This may require you both to disclose your incomes. Be sure to have this meeting out of the child’s presence. Do not have or share this discussion with the child and agree with your child’s father than neither of you will do so. Express to the father the importance of having a regular contribution from him so that you are able to meet the child’s needs.  Discuss with him what each of those expenses mean to the child’s daily and future development and well-being.  Allow him the opportunity to tell you whether he can contribute a specific amount, how much, when he will begin, how often and whether the payments will be weekly, biweekly or monthly.  Please allow him creative room to do other things, such as: (1) provide daycare, so you avoid the out-of-pocket expense; (2) pick the child up from school, so you avoid after school care; (3) add the child to his health plan; (4) spend a specific amount for the child’s clothing and shoes each season; (5) purchase specific grocery or other regular use items for the child on a monthly basis and deliver them to your home.  As you are discussing and developing your plan, keep in mind that your ultimate goal is to have the physical and emotional needs of your child met.

If you are able to reach an agreement that you both can live with, reduce it to an informal writing.  Keep in mind that your writing may not be enforceable in court.  But, prayerfully it will give the father a sense of commitment and accountability.  If your child’s father will not honor his agreement and will not give you a reasonable explanation regarding the neglect of his duty, then you have no choice but to resort to court intervention in obtaining a child support order.

Most states establish child support orders based upon the income and earning ability of both parents.  At this point, you will need to seek legal advice from an Attorney in your state. If you cannot afford an Attorney, you may contact the Office of Child Support Services in your State to explore the option of filing a URESA petition to establish support.  The Internet is always a good source of information. Educate yourself about your situation before seeking the advice of anyone.  Simply go to Google.com and type in “getting court order for child support”. Be sure to include your state name in the search.

Regardless of the route you take, continue to do all you can to promote a good co-parenting relationship.  This is ultimately in your child’s best interest.

To learn more about how a bad relationship between parents affects the well being of a child, go to www.seedintheearth.com and order the documentary: “A Fatherless Child-Diary of Absence”.  Sit and watch it as a family.

These words of wisdom were provided by WeParent expert panelist, Lisa L. Carter, Attorney at Law, State of Georgia.

Need advice?  Drop us a line through our Contact form.  If we feature your question, we’ll send you a WeParent t-shirt…and you’ll get some expert advice.

Lisa L. Carter, J. D.

December 13, 2008 by WeParent  

Comments Off

Lisa CarterLisa is a family law practice attorney in Georgia and has worked to help families resolve their problems in this area of law for more than 10 years.  But, her passion for helping restore family structures began long before her professional career. She has long had a passion for people who had a desire to correct a relationship with another person but simply lacked understanding as to how and why that relationship correction was necessary.   Over the years, that passionate seed developed into sadness for children who suffered from a broken or absent relationship with their fathers.

Out of that passion, Lisa embarked upon a search to understand why a large number of men in this generation fail to actively function in their roles as fathers. What she discovered is that some men lack understanding of their purpose and the honor that comes with fatherhood.  Her pursuit of the answers to these problems led to Lisa’s directing and producing a feature-length documentary, A Fatherless Child–A Diary of Absence, and the birth of Seed in the Earth, a non-profit with the mission of restoring the honor of fatherhood.

Lisa is a regular contributor to the Words of Wisdom.

Have a question for Lisa?  Email her at wow@weparent.com.

  • Buy Cheapest drug store on line Online Best Prices. Buy Medications Online.
  • Buy Cheapest sales cialis Now The Largest Internet Pharmacy. Low Prices.
  • Buy Cheap pregnancy and phentermine Now Buy Medications Online. Online Medical Shop.
  • Buy Cheapest lexapro prozac Online Best Internet. Drugs, Health And Beauty.
  • Buy Cheap buy xenical or orlistat Online Online Medical Shop. Cheap Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheap ambien buy online Online Best Internet. 24/Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheapest nitroglycerin tablets Now Low Prices. Safe And Secure Payment System.
  • Buy Cheapest order vigrx Online Best Internet. 24/Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheap order tenormin Now No Prescription Online Pharmacy. Best Prices.
  • Buying Cheap new obesity pill. Mexican Pharmacy, Best Prices. Pharmacy Store.
  • Buy Cheapest diazepam no prescription 10mg Online Pharmacy Store. Online Medical Shop.
  • Buy Cheap purchase viagra online Online Buy Medications Online. Pharmacy Store.
  • Buy Cheapest prescription sleep aids Now Low Prices. Pharmacy At The Best Price!
  • Buy Cheap new drug levitra Now Discount Pharmacy Online. Free Viagra Pills!
  • Buy Cheap drug sildenafil Online No Prescription Needed. Best Internet.
  • Buy Cheapest doxycycline 100mg capsule Now Discount Pharmacy Online. Best Prices.
  • Buy list of anti anxiety medications Online Without Prescription. Best Internet. Best Prices.
  • Buy Cheapest xanax with next day delivery Now Best Internet. Discount Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheap diet pills overnight shipping Online Pharmacy At The Best Price! Best Internet.
  • Buy Cheap weight loss disorders Now Discount Pharmacy Online. Top Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheap what does cialis do Now Guaranteed Shipping. No Prescription Needed.
  • Buy Cheap buy uk viagra Online Discount Online Pharmacy. Low Prices.
  • Buy Cheapest cialis mens reaction Online WorldWide Shipping. Top Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheapest medications on line Now The Largest Internet Pharmacy. Low Prices.
  • Buy Cheapest total health vitamins Online Best Online. No Prescription Needed.
  • Buy Cheap cvs online pharmacy Now All Medications Are Certificated! Low Prices.
  • Buy Cheap viagra generica Now Pharmacy Store. Online Prices For viagra generica!
  • Buy how to suppress appetite Without Prescription Doctor. Pharmacy Store. Low Prices.
  • Buy Cheap buy cialis on line Online Low Prices. Order Cheap Meds Without Rx.
  • Buy Cheap what does clomid do Online Best Drugstore. No Prescription Needed.
  • Buy Cheap lipitor pill Now Pharmacy At The Best Price! Pharmacy Store.
  • Buy Cheapest cialis uk suppliers Now Online Medical Shop. Top Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheapest medications for depression and anxiety Online Low Prices. Buy Medications Online.
  • Buy Cheap levitra tablet Now Buy Medications Online. Best Drugstore.
  • Buy Cheap sale viagra Now Buy Medications Online. Online Medical Shop.
  • Buy Cheapest cialis profestional Now Pharmacy Store. Special Prices For cialis profestional!
  • Buying Cheap rx on line pharmacy. Offshore Rx, Best Prices. Guaranteed Shipping.
  • Buy Cheapest vpxl pill Online Best Drugstore. Buy Medications Online.
  • Buy Cheapest fda weight loss pill Online Best Internet. Discount Pharmacy Online.
  • Buy Cheap buy ultram cheap Now Discount Online Pharmacy. Best Drugstore.
  • Buy Cheapest how to buy diet pills Now WorldWide Shipping. Top Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheapest canadian pharmacy online Now 24/Online Pharmacy. Best Internet.
  • Buy Cheap celexa lexapro Online Free Viagra Pills! Buy Medications Online.
  • Buy Cheap body fat lose Now Bonus Pills And Reorder Discounts! Low Prices.
  • Buy Cheap brand levitra Now Buy Medications Online. Free Viagra Pills!
  • Buy Cheap codeine ibuprofen online Online Online Prices For codeine ibuprofen online! Best Internet.
  • Buy cheapest diet pills Without Prescription Doctor. Low Prices. Pharmacy Store.
  • Buy Cheap online drugs no prescription Online Low Prices. Pharmacy At The Best Price!
  • Buy Cheapest levofloxacin tablets Online Low Prices. Discount Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheap side effects levitra Online Free Viagra Pills! Guaranteed Shipping.
  • Buy Cheap nexium 40mg Online Order Cheap Meds Without Rx. Low Prices.
  • Buy Cheapest doxycycline cheap Now Pharmacy Store. Drugs, Health And Beauty.
  • Buy Cheap ativan alcohol Now Pharmacy At The Best Price! Best Online.
  • Buy Cheapest stress buy sell price med anxiety Now Best Internet. Pharmacy At The Best Price!
  • Buy Cheapest panic disorder medications Online 24/Online Pharmacy. Low Prices.
  • Buy Cheapest cod tramadol online Now Discount Online Pharmacy. Best Drugstore.
  • Buy Cheap pfizer viagra uk Now Discount Pharmacy Online. Online Medical Shop.
  • Buy Cheap after clomid pregnancy Online Discount Online Pharmacy. Best Online.
  • Buy Cheap mexican pharmacy Now Guaranteed Shipping. Top Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheap purchase levitra in canada Online No Prescription Needed. Best Prices.
  • Buy Cheap list of pain medications Online Best Online. Cheap Prescription Drugs.
  • Buy Cheapest does generic cialis work Now Pharmacy At The Best Price! Best Internet.
  • Buy Cheap pain killers hives Now Top Online Pharmacy. Free Viagra Pills!
  • Buy Cheapest benicar dosage Online WorldWide Shipping. Online Medical Shop.
  • Buy Cheapest online overseas pharmacy Now Best Prices. Buy Medications Online.
  • Buy Cheap xanax for anxiety Online Cheap Online Pharmacy. Free Viagra Pills!
  • Buy Cheap cialis levitra pharmacy viagra Now Free Viagra Pills! Buy Medications Online.
  • Buy Cheap over the counter arthritis pain medications Now Low Prices. Order Cheap Meds Without Rx.
  • Buy Cheap appetite suppressant medication Online Safe And Secure Payment System. Low Prices.
  • Buy Cheapest natural levitra Online Low Prices. Pharmacy At The Best Price!
  • Buy online rx phentermine Without Prescription Doctor. Pharmacy Store. Low Prices.
  • Buy buying online tramadol Online Without Prescription. Best Prices. Best Online.
  • Buy Cheap cialis generic canada Online Best Internet. Pharmacy At The Best Price!
  • Buy Cheapest ultram no prescription Now WorldWide Shipping. Free Viagra Pills!
  • Buy Cheap cheap klonopin Now Top Online Pharmacy Supplier. Pharmacy Store.
  • Buy Cheap safest pain med Now Pharmacy Store. Top Online Pharmacy Supplier.
  • Buy Cheapest cialis free shipping Online Low Prices. 24/Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheap erythromycin online Now Best Internet. Online Prices For erythromycin online!
  • Buy Cheap generic form of viagra Online Best Online. 24/Internet)(safe Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheap fat loss products Now Guaranteed Shipping. Cheap Pharmacy Online.
  • Buy Cheap fda approved appetite suppresants Online Internet Prices For fda approved appetite suppresants! Best Prices.
  • Buy Cheap generic name for ambien Online Drugs, Health And Beauty. Best Prices.
  • Buy Cheap levitra users Now 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. Pharmacy Store.
  • Buy Cheap safe maximum levitra dosage Online No Prescription Needed. WorldWide Shipping.
  • Buy Cheap brand name tramadol Online Top Online Pharmacy. Free Viagra Pills!
  • Buy Cheap cure erectile dysfunction Now Best Drugstore. Special Prices For cure erectile dysfunction!
  • Buy Cheap tramadol medication Online Top Online Pharmacy. Cheap Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheapest viagra super active in australia Now 24/Online Pharmacy. Best Drugstore.
  • Buy Cheap permethrin cream Now Best Prices. No Prescription Online Pharmacy.
  • Get buy lorazepam without prescription Without Prescription Consultation. 24/Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheapest obesity cure Now WorldWide Shipping. 24/Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheap rite aid pharmacy Online Cheap Pharmacy Online. Best Drugstore.
  • ethinyl estradiol levonorgestrel Online Without Prescription Free Viagra Pills! Best Prices.
  • Buy Cheapest when to take viagra Online Guaranteed Shipping. WorldWide Shipping.
  • Buy Cheapest valium addictive drug Now Cheap Online Pharmacy. Pharmacy Store.
  • Buy Cheap klonopin dose Now Online Medical Shop. 24/Online Pharmacy.
  • Buy Cheap levitra los angeles Online Pharmacy At The Best Price! Best Prices.
  • Buy Cheap does zyban work Now No Prescription Needed. Pharmacy Store.
  • Buy Cheap free prescription medicine Now Best Prices. Cheap Meds Without Prescription.
  • Buy Cheap viagra ad Now Low Prices. The Largest Internet Pharmacy.