A Divorce and Family Law Practice
We Fight Hard for Our Clients, to Achieve their Goals, and to Minimize Costs and Achieve Settlement Where Possible...Divorce is a Difficult Process. It is important to have sound legal advice and competent counsel. But in light of the pandemic, we have a change of focus for advice. A pandemic is short term. If you are experiencing short term marital difficulties, it may be just that. Here are some practical tips for keeping your marriage healthy:
Healthy Marriage Tools for Life (and Pandemic):
- Words Matter. Use only uplifting and complimentary words when speaking to your spouse and children.
- Be Grateful. Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude. Everyday think of four qualities in your spouse that you appreciate and admire and share them with your spouse (this can be a mutual game that you play together every day). Good for children too.
- A Little Gentle Intimacy. If you are able to safely get out and walk and can hold hands with your spouse - do so. Have a thumb fight and laugh. Washing hands of course - recognize that your spouse needs love and care too and can be feeling the strains of isolation in the pandemic. Be a nurturer to your spouse.
- Look Nice for Your Spouse. Probably a good idea to get out of the pajamas and dress up a little.
- Cook Dinner - Have a Date Night. Our lives are normally so busy that we forget the importance of being together. Today’s situation provides an opportunity to have a date night once or twice a week. Make something healthy and special. Keep all words uplifting. Maybe pull out the wedding video or pictures. Have laughs over some stories.
- Game night with Each Other and the Kids. Intentionally come up with some games the family can play like a Scavenger Hunt, or Charades, or card games.
- Keep a Marriage Love Journal. Keep a blank book on the coffee table, for daily writing about what you appreciate about your spouse. Positive memories. Times when you were there for each other.
- Bring Home Flowers -- Every day!
- Send Your Spouse/Partner - a happy text image of love (free on the internet) every morning.
- Letting Go of Frustrations, Disappointments and Anger. This caveat is not for relationships that are abusive or violent, which need protection and distance. Apart from these, accepting one another with all our bumps and warts - well isn’t that part of the challenge and fun of marriage. We are not the same, and none of us are perfect -- we all fall short. Perhaps letting go of our expectations is part of the puzzle.
- Humor. Humor goes a long way in all relationships as long as we don’t put the humor on someone else. Laughter is a gift.
How to co-parent as separate parents (especially) in a pandemic
- Try to Keep Good Communication and Conflict Down. Let’s remember that our children are experiencing the same or more stress than we are right now as their normal worlds change. Children who are in dual homes can have even more of that kind of stress, and not knowing how parents are going to work together (or not) could be quite frightening. So working on communications, kind words toward the other parent, supportive language skills with the child, cooperation in scheduling and the how-to’s of safety in this situation, would likely be very helpful.
- Spend Quality Time with your Child(ren). This is a good time to put down the computer and play basketball or ride a bike with your child(ren), talk with them, read stories, play games, and reconnect. Use active listening skills. Don’t criticize your children. Help empower them to solve problems instead of you doing it. Laugh and watch movies with them.
- Make all Your Comments about their Other Parent be Supportive and Complimentary. Words matter. Sometimes we forget that our children are made up of two parents, and sometimes more including step-parents. Although we may be frustrated with another person, being critical of your child’s other parent, or their relationships can be experienced as being critical of your child. Lifting up the other parent and other people in your child’s life, usually has the opposite effect of lifting up the child and his/her world. Positive words have positive results, and using positive words is a skill that we can develop in love for our children.
Update on the court closing and family (divorce) law cases
In response to the pandemic, the District and Circuit Courts in Maryland have by court order substantially reduced their operations for the protection of the public and court staff.
BUT, THE COURTS ARE STILL OPEN. AND YES YOU CAN FILE FOR DIVORCE OR CUSTODY OR OTHER FAMILY LAW MATTER TODAY, AND COURT CASES ARE STILL ONGOING.
Being shut-in at home, creates unique and difficult situations for marriages...
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/PROTECTIVE ORDERS
Our firm handles Domestic Violence cases. If you have been accused of Domestic Violence or if you have been a victim of Domestic Violence, you are welcome to seek legal help from our office by calling: (410) 224-4677
Stuck at Home for the Pandemic, is a Great Time to do your Will and Estate Planning!
Do you have a will? Do you have Powers of Attorney? How about a Living Will?
We offer estate planning packages that are not that expensive! Now is a very good time to do your estate planning and get a will written up and to put things in order for your family and loved ones. We offer affordable estate planning packages. If you want to talk with an attorney about your will and estate planning options/costs, you are welcome to give us a call.
Yes We Are Open
Two Convenient Office Locations
156 South Street (across from Circuit Court), Annapolis, MD 21401
1125 West Street, Suite 200,
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-224-4677