KidSide Newsletter October 2022
Parenting Coordination: Questions From The Bench
Judge Samantha Ruiz Cohen | sruizcohen@jud11.flcourts.org
Helenann Shapiro | hrshap@aol.com
1. One of the responsibilities of a parenting coordinator is to facilitate the resolution of disputes regarding the creation or implementation of a parenting plan. What areas of a parenting plan have you seen most often parties struggle in resolving disputes?
In my experience, such struggles are frequently encountered when, a) young children are involved, or b) during the marriage when one parent is responsible for the lion’s share of daily management and child rearing tasks. These scenarios are known to create fear and emotional upset due to the changes in the family dynamic. Not surprisingly it may be difficult to accept a new arrangement where for the first time a parent does not see the children for several days at a time. Equally challenging is the emotional stress experienced by the parent who was previously responsible for the day-to-day parenting and, a) finds him or herself no longer in control, and b) to make matters worse is unaware of where the children are or what they are doing. In addition, school nighttime sharing can be emotionally challenging. One parent may not want the children dividing their time between two homes on school nights. The other parent wants to be involved in the substantive aspects of child rearing and to be able to be with the child 50% of the time on school nights. A parenting coordinator must find a way to work with these conflicting sparring points of view and find a path that will ease rather than increase family tensions.
What To Expect From Your Parenting Coordinator
Helenann Shapiro | hrshap@aol.com
First, the million-dollar question: when to use a PC? The short answer is anytime during the divorce process from the time of separation through and including after a judgment has been entered. My experience is the sooner the better. Why? The answer is fairly simple. When you hire an attorney at the outset, counsel can identify key issues, educate the clients regarding their legal rights as well as what they can reasonably expect and guide them through the legal process. Please note: there are certain cases where parenting coordination would not be appropriate or starting the process should be delayed due to numerous factors. It is important to seek guidance from your attorney based on your specific issues if/when you should use such services.
It is fair to say that there are various facets typically involved in parent coordination. They include: 1) the emotional/psychological/practical aspect of divorcing as it relates to the parents and children’s well-being; and 2) the daunting task of transitioning from one household to two. Why not provide the necessary guidance right from the get-go for the parents? Upon divorce, parents are not given a handbook on how to raise their children with their soon to be ex-spouse. During the divorce process, they are traveling in unfamiliar territory concerning how to raise their children in separate homes. Mistakes are often made and resentments can grow. Using parent coordination from the beginning is a sound way to set the parents up for success (which in turn benefits the children) as they transition into a co-parenting family.
Real Reviews From Real People
Here is what real people are saying about the services being funded by KidSide. The below testimonial is from an anonymous patient receiving individual therapy.
“I was referred to Family Forensic Services for individual therapy, and I am happy with the services I was provided. My therapist was professional and well qualified to provide me with the therapy. The services were helpful, but I especially liked how flexible the therapist was with scheduling and the fact that I could do my sessions online. She was always there for me and very communicative throughout the service.
I did not know KidSide was providing funding so that my services could be free. I appreciate that I did not have to pay for my therapy because there are a lot of Orders in my case, and I always follow the Orders for services. I am fighting for my daughter. Thank you for helping me.“
Anonymous Client
Your Donations At Work
Congratulations Judge Verde 
This event is currently sold out to the general public, but tickets are still available for new partners! Sign-up today to become a KidSide partner to receive tickets and to be featured at Havana Nights Nostalgia.
Be A Champion For KidSide
There is still time to register to be a KidSide Champion this Give Miami Day! Join our esteemed group of champions as we work to raise funds to help support families and children in need here in South Florida.
Give Miami Day is November 14-17.
Congratulations to KidSide Partner, Paul Leinoff!
Join us in wishing a heartfelt congratulations to KidSide Partner, Paul Leinoff, of Leinoff & Lemos P.A., on being named a “2023 Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America® in the Family Law category. Only one lawyer is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year” for each specialty and location.
Congratulations, Paul!
Thank You KidSide Partners
Thank you to all of our partners and everyone who purchased tickets to attend last week’s Havana Nights Nostalgia event. We had a blast at our sold out event at Ball and Chain.
To guarantee your tickets to the next KidSide event, become a KidSide partner today!
Support the work of Family Court Services by donating to KidSide!
Back to School – A Family Court Perspective
Written by Judge Spencer Multack smultack@jud11.flcourts.org
By the time you are reading this, school has just started and your kiddos are enduring the transition from summer vacation to homework and projects. However, my colleagues and I on the family court bench have been fielding “back to school” issues for a few months now. This article will address some of the issues we are addressing in family court and challenges some families face when the school year resumes.
Other parents wish to relocate to another city or state, which in turn affects the children’s education. Schooling is just one factor a court considers when determining whether or not to permit relocation. Guided by Florida Statute 61.13001, the Court is required to weigh specific factors to determine whether the child’s best interest would be served by a move more than 50 miles away.
Pointers For Starting the School Year
Dr. Ronda Fuchs, Psy.D, Accredited Collaborative Family Law Facilitator ronda.fuchs@gmail.com
![](https://79z2c0.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/944944000001708004_zc_v9_1661139281437_10_ways_to_help_your_student_start_the_school_year_on_the_right_foot__r5di6h.jpg")
With summer coming to a close, it’s time to start thinking about the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. For many families, back to school season is a stressful time of year, and it can be especially challenging for children of divorced or separated parents. For those who are recently separated, this is the time to set up a precedent for harmonious co-parenting when it comes to your child’s education and overall school experience. For those who have been divorced for some time, it is an opportunity to make changes and let “bygones be bygones” for the sake of your child, and to help facilitate a smooth transition to the next school year and years to come.
Real Reviews From Real People
“Co-Parenting counseling has allowed us to communicate better….it is nice to be able to talk again. Our increased communication increases our ability to communicate and collaborate to meet our child’s needs during this difficult time.”
By a couple separated for 4 months with 1 child who has been married for 11 years and was referred for co-parenting counseling paid for by KidSide.
Get Involved With Give Miami Day
Thanks To Our Partners
Welcome to our new Bronze level partners, Abramowitz & Associates, Leinoff & Lemos P.A., Sandy T. Fox, P.A., and Orshan Spahn & Fernandez-Mesa. Get recognized in the KidSide newsletter and on social media by becoming a KidSide partner. Thank you to all of our existing partners for their continued support of KidSide..
For more information, please reach out to Adelmis Bohigas-Naderpour, Esq., Executive Board Chair of KidSide at abnaderpour@abnlawgroup.com
Support the work of Family Court Services by donating to KidSide!