HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
We recognize many valuable resources are out there to assist you, both on the internet and through bookstores. The following lists by no means will exhaust the possibilities for avenues of assistance. With some work, you can easily locate all the following sites on your computer. However, to make your search easier, we suggest the following areas to begin your search for answers. If you fail to find answers to your questions on our site, please call or email us and we will get back with you quickly!
ASSISTANCE WITH ADDITIONAL PARENTAL GUIDANCE
The Courts strongly recommend that all parents complete the online course in addition to the State Mandated 4-hour Parenting Seminar. Completion of this online course does NOT take the place of the 4-hour parenting seminar, which must be physically attended to meet the Court’s requirements. The optional court recommended online course can be found at Up to Parents.
TO GET A JUMP START ON CREATING YOUR PARENTING PLAN AND CHILD SUPPORT WORKSHEET
If you have minor children (children under the age of 18), and you are a divorcing parent, you will be required to create and sign a Parenting Plan to legally state how you and your spouse will co-parent your child(ren) before the divorce can be finalized. Once the document has been created, signed and notarized, your attorney will file the Parenting Plan with the court and it will become the living document by which you and your spouse will share responsibility for the care of your child(ren). The Parenting Plan will also set the amount of child support that will be paid by which parent. You can view, fill in and print both of these forms online. If you hae any questions about the Parenting Plan and/or the Tennessee Child Support Calculator, please ask your attorney for guidance. If you do not have an attorney, please visit the “Find an Attorney” section located on this web site. The following sites are available to assist you with creating a Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet:
Tennessee Child Support Worksheet
MEDIATION CONNECTIONS
Most courts now require that any and all disputed matters, whether domestic (divorce, child support changes, modifications to the parenting plan, etc.) be mediated. LifeBridge is an avid supporter of mediation because it gives the opposing parties a chance to create the best outcome for everyone by coming to a mutual agreement, rather than having a judge make a final decision based on very limited information and time. To watch a short video that explains what mediation is about and how it is used, click HERE to select the video in English or Spanish.
You can visit our “Find a Mediator” Section to speak with a LifeBridge recommended Mediator. Additionally, you can click HERE to find a mediator.
LOCATING SOMEONE TO TALK TO….
Everyone must have an outlet to discuss, connect, understand and sometimes just cry while going through a divorce. You are not alone. Our Parenting Seminars will give you many tools and information you need to get through this difficult time. Many who attend our seminars exchange email addresses and telephone numbers to stay connected to one another.
Whether you turn to a friend, a Pastor, teacher, mentor, or counselor, locate someone with whom you are comfortable and can trust with your feelings. It is important to find ways to vent and verbalize your frustrations, anger and hurt. If you are experiencing feelings of extreme helplessness or are having suicidal thoughts, contact the hotline number for help immediately.
Many health insurance policies cover the cost of professional counseling. Call your healthcare provider to obtain a list of counselors and cost coverage information. Additionally, we have created a list of several excellent, experienced counselors that we strongly recommend and may be listed on your health insurance’s approved list of providers. Please visit our “Find a Counselor” section to gain access to several local LifeBridge recommended counselors.
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!!!
LifeBridge has created the following book list to help you and your family understand and better deal with all the aspects of a changing family. These books are arranged by category and can be found online at
Amazon, Books A Million, Barnes & Noble or at your local library!
Young Children:
Brown, Laurene Dinosaurs Divorce
Lansky, Vicki It’s Not Your Fault Koko Bear
Girard, Linda Walvoord At Daddy’s on Saturdays
Ranson, Jeanie I Don’t Want to Talk About it!
Adams, Eric J. & Adams, Kathleen On the Day his Daddy Left
Masurel, Claire Two Homes
Thomas, Pat My Family’s Changing
Cain, Janan The Way I Feel
Pre-Teen / Teen
The American Girl Library Help!A Girl’s Guide to Divorce and Stepfamilies
MacGregor, Cynthia The Divorce Helpbook for Teens
Stern, Zoe, Evan, & Ellen Divorce is Not the End of the World
Swan-Jackson, Alys When Your Parents Split Up, How to Keep Yourself Together
Adults:
Wallerstein, Judith S. & Blakeslee, Sandra What About the Kids?
Wallerstein, Judith S. & Lewis, Julia M. The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce
Ahrons, Constance The Good Divorce
Cloud, Henry & Townsend, John Boundaries
Ricci, Isolina Mom’s House, Dad’s House – Making Two Homes for Your Child
Ross, Julie A. & Corcoran, Judy Joint Custody with a Jerk – Raising a Child with an Uncooperative Ex
Mercer, Diana & Pruett, Marsha Kline Your Divorce Advisor – A Lawyer and Psychologist Guide You Through the Legal and Emotional Landscape of Divorce
Trafford, Abigail Crazy Time – Surviving Divorce and Building a New Life
DO YOU HAVE MORE SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR RESOURCE LIST? CONTACT US AND LET US KNOW!