by tcoates | Mar 21, 2019 | Podcasts, Uncategorized
You can find Our Family Wizard here:
Our Family Wizard
Our Family Wizard on Facebook
@OurFamilyWizard on Twitter
Our Family Wizard on Pinterest
Our Family Wizard on Instagram
Our Family Wizard on Vimeo
Our Family Wizard on YouTube
Show Notes:
[02:00] In 2001, Jai was a senior in college, and his mom practiced family law. His mother’s cousin had just experienced his first Christmas as a divorced parent, and he and his wife had a miscommunication about vacation plans.
[03:16] Jai’s mom asked him if he knew of any technology solutions for this situation.
[03:30] He realized that there was a need and wanted to create a tool for divorced families who are sharing parenting responsibilities.
[03:44] He wrote the business plan for the world’s first co-parenting platform when he was a senior in college. His parents and her cousin and his wife all helped with input, and the company was created.
[04:56] They worked with 40 high-conflict families to refine the process and learn about the process.
[05:26] After two years of using the site, none of the high-conflict families had to go back to court except for one family who stopped using the site.
[06:14] The goal is to help families from having to return to court for things that are easily manageable.
[07:29] Features include a calendar that offers access and documentation that you won’t find in traditional calendar tools.
[08:17] You can create a parenting schedule up to eight weeks with a repeating pattern.
[08:49] You can also have multiple schedules. Both parents have access.
[09:43] Every step is documented. An when changes happen there is a notification.
[10:41] There is also a message board. It’s only family communication and everything is documented even when the messages are read.
[11:50] Children get access on a limited schedule.
[12:36] There is a tool to keep track of expenses. Payments can also be made directly through the system.
[15:03] This is a desktop software and a mobile app.
[16:12] With the calendar you can’t delete events, and there is a journal function and users can choose who sees the information.
[17:24] There is a tone meter that interprets the emotion of the users input. It helps people to not say things that will set off the other parent. It is similar to AI.
[20:04] It allows users to pause and take a breath before sending the message.
[21:38] There is a trade swap feature to adjust scheduling.
[22:23] The infobank tracks everything from doctors to other needs like clothing sizes.
[24:08] Having all of the information out there, the less control and manipulation happens.
[25:02] You can also upload pictures, reports, etc. This stuff would go in my files.
[26:13] You can grant professionals different levels of access. The records are really helpful with court cases. There is also easy PDF presentations that can be printed out.
[28:18] Verified documents are also available.
[29:12] Professionals can upload documents, but the options are shared or private.
[30:28] When a parent signs up they contact the other parent to get them set up and connected.
[30:59] It’s $99 a year for each parent. Veterans get a buy one get one free discount.
[31:38] There is also a fee waiver program if you qualify for a court’s fee waiver.
[32:48] It doesn’t have to be court ordered to use the site.
[33:52] Go to the website and signup, then you can use the app for free.
[34:49] If you have questions reach out to support and talk to someone.
[35:15] This tool can be implemented anytime through the divorce process.
Do you have any topics that you would like me to cover in future shows? Let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, and if you are enjoying what you hear please leave a review on iTunes.
Links and Resources:
Our Family Wizard
Our Family Wizard on Facebook
@OurFamilyWizard on Twitter
Our Family Wizard on Pinterest
Our Family Wizard on Instagram
Our Family Wizard on Vimeo
Our Family Wizard on YouTube
by tcoates | Jan 17, 2019 | Podcasts, Uncategorized
Happy New Year. Welcome to the very first episode of The Divorce Chronicles for 2019. I’m excited for what’s to come in 2019. With the passing of President Trump’s new tax law called The Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts of 2017, there are dramatic changes in regards to alimony payments. Today, I’m going to provide clarity about what this new tax law means for you.
Show Notes:
[01:30] The mere mention of taxes usually puts me to sleep, but this Tax Act is anything but boring.
[01:39] This new tax law repeal a law that has been in effect for 75 years.
[01:59] Alimony or spousal support is is Money Paid from one former spouse to the other. This would be the payor paying to the payee.
[02:28] This could be for a specified time or indefinitely. Alimony is usually paid on a monthly basis.
[02:31] For the past 75 years, alimony has been tax deductible for the payor and the payee has to pay taxes on it.
[02:45] This was the law up until December 31st 2018.
[03:06] How TCJA has impacted alimony.
[03:19] Divorce decrees executed before December 31st 2018 are not affected by the new tax laws.
[03:47] There is an exception. If the agreement is modified after December 31st 2018, then TCJA will apply.
[04:58] Let’s say a spouse is making $200,000 annually and pays $50,000 a year to their former spouse who is earning $40,000 a year.
[05:23] The spouse will only have to pay taxes on that $150,000 they earned.
[05:45] The recipient spouse will pay taxes on $90,000.
[06:39] With the new law, the spouse earning $200,000 and paying $50,000 is no longer allowed to deduct that $50,000 that they are paying to the other spouse.
[07:02] The recipient spouse will only have to pay taxes on their annual salary of $40,000.
[07:38] I hope these examples with actual figures provides a more definitive explanation of the new tax laws.
[07:47] If you execute an alimony agreement before December 31st 2018, the payer can deduct the alimony amount and the payee will pay taxes on it.
[08:24] Agreements executed after December 31st 2018 are governed by the new tax laws. This means alimony paid is no longer a deduction. Spouses that receive alimony no longer have to pay taxes on it.
[08:51] All of the old agreements executed before December 31st 2018 are still valid and executable.
[09:03] There is an exception if the agreement is modified after that date.
Do you have any topics that you would like me to cover in future shows? Let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, and if you are enjoying what you hear please leave a review on iTunes.
Links and Resources:
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts of 2017
by tcoates | Dec 11, 2018 | Uncategorized
You can find Robin Tucker here:
Robin Tucker
Show Notes:
[01:51] Robin is a coach and a therapist. She works primarily with men and women who are navigating the divorce process. She also provides parent coaching for divorced parents. She also works with couples.
[02:18] Robin is located in Northwest Washington DC. She has in-person clients and she also works remotely with clients. She also runs groups in person.
[03:30] She works with couples who are just beginning to dissolve their marriage, and she also works with parents to help negotiate the divorce process, and how they envision their connection through the difficult process.
[05:31] When people first come into Robin’s office they are usually shocked and kind of in a numb phase. The first thing she does is to take an assessment for safety.
[06:29] Then they begin processing the news of getting divorced and what that means for them.
[06:38] Most people go into automatic pilot. They show up, but they aren’t really present.
[07:40] Clients are initially in survival mode. They are really just focusing on what they can do to get through the next day.
[08:29] Sometimes clients are fixated on their ex-partner and what happened. It takes time to process this experience and move forward.
[09:42] Once Robin finds out how the client is feeling and where they are in the process, she can sit down and delve into their feelings. She encourages clients to focus on what is more important for them.
[12:12] With couples they need to express how they are feeling without being defensive or feeling like they need to fix things.
[13:05] With domestic violence Robin’s primary concern is making sure that they have a safe place to live. Do they need a restraining order? Is there something that needs to be put in place so they can function safely?
[14:28] Violence can escalate when a partner leaves a relationship, so Robin encourages victims to have a safe place where they aren’t accessible. She also assesses whether to report to the police.
[15:22] She also works with attorneys and other mental health professionals. She is there to fully support her clients. She might work with older children but not younger children.
[16:34] The first stage clients often go through is denial. The next phase is to process the pain or the experience of abandonment.
[19:39] It’s rare, but sometimes couples reconcile. It’s human nature to remember the value of that which you are about to lose.
[21:39] Difficult aspects of the process include sharing custody, having to see a spouse that you have been hurt by, having to maintain civil contact, and pressure from extended family. Holidays are also challenging.
[23:27] There is light at the end of the tunnel though. People almost invariably find happiness again.
[24:05] It’s imperative for clients to meet with someone and talk with someone when things feel hopeless. If someone is isolated and ruminating, it’s hard to imagine that things could change.
[25:06] Sometimes people overextend themselves financially during the holidays. Be mindful of over spending to compensate for your loss.
[26:46] Identify two or three really good friends who you can be completely honest with. Take advantages of free resources in groups in the area such as 12-step programs and Al-Anon. Church groups and volunteering can also be helpful.
[29:21] Part of the process is getting clients to change their story. Robin likes to use the yes and technique.
[30:25] Robin is launching Divorce Recovery 1.0 for men and women at the end of January. This group will help you get much-needed perspective that will help you move forward.
Do you have any topics that you would like me to cover in future shows? Let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, and if you are enjoying what you hear please leave a review on iTunes.
Links and Resources:
Al-Anon
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