Parents may find themselves overwhelmed by the chaos during and after a divorce or remarriage. Because of this, some may place their responsibilities on their older children. This is parentification and can have serious short- and long-term impacts on children’s well-being. Clarifying parentification It is normal to expect children, especially older ones, to take on a certain level of responsibility, both to contribute to the household and to teach them responsibility. A reasonable level of chores and occasional babysitting when necessary do not constitute parentification. It is when a parent ..read more

Finances are traditionally one of the most common reasons that individuals choose to divorce. Issues involving money can be very problematic in a relationship, and many couples will cite them when choosing to move forward alone. It could be the financial pressure of someone losing a job, an instance of financial infidelity or something else entirely. But it’s important to remember that money-centric problems may also be philosophical in nature. It’s not just that a couple can’t pay their bills or can’t make ends meet because they don’t have enough money to go around. Certainly, that type of fi ..read more

Divorce brings many challenges for couples in Reston and throughout Virginia — not the least of which is reorganizing finances. Understanding how to set a budget that fits your new circumstances is crucial as you navigate this significant life change. Remember, you’ll have to live off your income now, possibly without the help of your ex. Begin by gaining a comprehensive understanding of your financial situation. List all your sources of income, including salary, alimony or child support, investments, and other revenue streams. You should also detail all monthly expenses, such as housing, util ..read more

Traveling to another country with the children can be a great experience. Yet, each year parents traveling alone with their children find their travel plans cut short because they don’t have the right paperwork. As a divorcing Reston parent, it’s best to ensure you have the necessary documentation before you book a flight. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have a remit to prevent child trafficking and kidnapping. So expect them to ask you for paperwork at the airport in addition to your passports and flight tickets. You need to prove two things: You have permission from the ..read more

Setting aside time to draft a will is one of the most responsible steps you can ever take. Done right, a will allows you to articulate your wishes with respect to the distribution of your assets when you die. In the absence of one, the government will make this decision for you. And this, understandably, might not sit well with you. While challenging a will is relatively difficult, it still happens. And when someone successfully disputes your will, the outcome might significantly derail your legacy. How can you know if someone might challenge your will? If you’ve improperly executed your will ..read more

There are many kinds of clauses people can include in legal agreements that give them certain rights. Those putting together estate plans or leases sometimes include the right of first refusal in reference to an individual’s potential interest in real property, for example. Such clauses give a renter or a specific family member an opportunity to buy a property before the owner or their estate sells it to anyone else. People can include a similar but slightly different clause in their parenting plans, although it won’t have anything to do with their home or other real property holdings. What pu ..read more

Divorce can be a tricky subject to broach with your children. It could help to know what to talk about before you discuss the news of your divorce with your children. You may need to know exactly what will happen after the divorce, such as if you will share custody with your children’s other parent or if one of you will have sole custody. You may also need to know if your children will have to change schools after the divorce or if they will need to move homes. These are things your children may initially worry about since they may not exactly understand what divorce means. One thing to consid ..read more

If you’re like most families in Ashburn, your summer is probably filled with vacations, day trips and cookouts. One of the last things on your mind is estate planning and your parent’s wishes. However, a summer cookout might be the perfect time to ease into the discussion.  A difficult but necessary conversation Discussing estate planning with parents can be a difficult conversation, but it is an important one to have. Here are some tips for making the conversation go smoothly: Find a time when your parents are relaxed and not distracted by other things.  Approach the discussion with ..read more

Make no mistake, divorce is tough. If you and your spouse have resolved to call it quits, one of the decisions you are likely to arrive at is leaving the marital home while you wait for your divorce to be finalized.  But is this always a good idea? The decision to leave your marital home can result in serious personal and legal implications, especially if you share children with your soon-to-be ex. For instance, leaving the marital home costs money. And if you share a child, leaving your child behind can impact the outcome of your Aldie child custody case. If you decide to share your home ..read more

You’re a Reston grantor in the middle of creating a trust and are considering appointing a trustee. Because trustees have to deal with responsibilities like acting as a fiduciary, communicating with beneficiaries and trust administration, you feel those are too much for one person to handle. Therefore, you’re wondering if appointing two or more trustees is a good idea. Let’s weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each. Pros of co-trustees There are a few benefits to having more than one trustee: -Appointing two or more trustees provide a backup for unexpected events: Suppose one truste ..read more