Divorce Resources

Here are some of the many issues the mediator will help the divorcing couple to address:  

FORMS & LINKS

Forms Needed to file for Divorce in Massachusetts: http://www.mass.gov/courts/selfhelp/family/divorce-forms-to-file.html#Forano-faultdivorcewherebothpeopleagreeinalldecisions1Ayoumustfile:

Information on Required Parent Education Program for couples with minor children: http://www.mass.gov/courts/programs/parent-child/

Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines and Calculator: http://www.mass.gov/dor/child-support/guidelines.html

Planning for Shared Parenting:
http://www.mass.gov/courts/docs/courts-and-judges/courts/probate-and-family-court/afccsharedparenting.pdf

IRS Publication 504 (Tax information for divorced and separated individuals): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p504.pdf

RELEVANT BOOKS AND ARTICLES
How to Handle the Impact of Grief and Stress During Divorce

What Should We Tell the Children

BOOKS FOR PARENTS

Barnes, R.G. You’re Not My Daddy: Winning the Heart of Your Stepchild. https://www.amazon.com/Youre–Not–Daddy-Robert-Barnes/dp/0849933447

Bonnell, Karen, The Co-Parents’ Handbook: Raising Well-Adjusted, Resilient, and Resourceful Kids in a Two-Home Family from Little Ones to Young Adults  
https://www.amazon.com/Co-Parents-Handbook-Well-Adjusted-Resilient-Resourceful/dp/1495345866/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1495345866&pd_rd_r=T6XYVK7FZS8FFCDH5N72&pd_rd_w=Bpt1D&pd_rd_wg=l7EzB&psc=1&refRID=T6XYVK7FZS8FFCDH5N72

Corder, Honoree. The Successful Single Mom.
https://www.amazon.com/Successful-Single-Mom-Your-Life/dp/0998073121/ref=pd_sim_14_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0998073121&pd_rd_r=QKNS59Y5Y1YQ1D6MS077&pd_rd_w=OMmzq&pd_rd_wg=Yhj2z&psc=1&refRID=QKNS59Y5Y1YQ1D6MS077

Davis, R.F., Borns N.F. Solo Dad Survival Guide: Raising Your Kids on Your Own.
https://www.amazon.com/Solo-Dad-Survival-Guide-Raising/dp/0809229250/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1485969637&sr=8-1&keywords=Solo+Dad+Survival+Guide

Emery, R.E. The Truth About Children and Divorce.
https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Children-Divorce-Emotions/dp/0452287162/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485969717&sr=1-1&keywords=the+truth+about+children+and+divorce

Engber A., Klungness L. The Complete Single Mother: Reassuring Answers to Your Most Challenging Concerns.
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Single-Mother-Reassuring-Challenging/dp/1593374909/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485969783&sr=1-1&keywords=the+complete+single+mother

Long, N., Forehand, R. Making Divorce Easier on Your Child. https://www.amazon.com/Making-Divorce-Easier-Your-Child/dp/0809294192/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485971408&sr=1-1&keywords=Making+Divorce+Easier+on+your+children

McBride, Jean. Talking to Children About Divorce: A Parent’s Guide to Healthy Communication at Each Stage of Divorce. 
https://www.amazon.com/Talking-Children-About-Divorce-Communication/dp/1623156858/ref=sr_1_13_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486054648&sr=1-13-spons&keywords=coping+after+divorce&psc=1

Neuman, M. Gary. Helping Your Kids Cope With Divorce the Sandcastles Way.
https://www.amazon.com/Helping-Your-Kids-Divorce-Sandcastles/dp/0679778012/ref=pd_sim_14_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0679778012&pd_rd_r=45PY0VXMEX09RPD8P0NF&pd_rd_w=XLiO5&pd_rd_wg=13Vbd&psc=1&refRID=45PY0VXMEX09RPD8P0NF

Pedro-Carroll, JoAnne, Putting Children First: Proven Parenting Strategies for Helping Children Thrive Through Divorce.
https://www.amazon.com/Putting-Children-First-Parenting-Strategies/dp/1583334017/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1485965532&sr=1-1

Ricci I. Mom’s House, Dad’s House: A Complete Guide for Parents Who Are Separated, Divorced or Remarried.
https://www.amazon.com/Moms-House-Dads-Making-homes/dp/0684830787/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485970172&sr=1-1&keywords=mom%27s+house+dad%27s+house

Stahl, PM. Parenting After Divorce: Resolving Conflicts.
https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-After-Divorce-Resolving-Rebuilding/dp/1886230846/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485970227&sr=1-1&keywords=Parenting+After+Divorce

Stoner, K.E. Divorce Without Court.
https://www.amazon.com/Divorce-Without-Court-Mediation-Collaborative/dp/141332164X/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485970888&sr=1-1&keywords=Divorce+Without+Court

Teyber, E. Helping Children Cope With Divorce.
https://www.amazon.com/Helping-Children-Divorce-Revised-Updated/dp/078795554X/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485971018&sr=1-1&keywords=Helping+Children+cope+with+divorce

Trafford, Abigail, Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce & Building A New Life.  
https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Time-Surviving-Divorce-Building/dp/0062337408/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485969427&sr=1-1&keywords=crazy+time+surviving+divorce+and+building+a+new+life

Woodhouse, Violet, et al., Divorce and Money: How To Make The Best Financial Decisions During Divorce.
https://www.amazon.com/Divorce-Money-Financial-Decisions-During/dp/1413319955/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1485969169&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Violet+Woodhouse%2C+Divorce+and+Money

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Blume, J. It’s Not the End of the World. Ages 8-12.
https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-World-Judy-Blume/dp/1481411160/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1485967621&sr=1-1

Brown, Marc and Brown, L.K., Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families. Ages 4-8. https://www.amazon.com/Dinosaurs-Divorce-Guide-Changing-Families/dp/0316109967/ref=pd_sim_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0316109967&pd_rd_r=XMGV2HB1SM7CWZ11HD8E&pd_rd_w=w5ms8&pd_rd_wg=XcLfC&psc=1&refRID=XMGV2HB1SM7CWZ11HD8E

Cassella-Kapusinski, Lynn, Now What Do I Do?: A Guide to Help Teenagers With Their Parents’ Separation of Divorce. Ages 10 and up.
https://www.amazon.com/Now-What-Do-Teenagers-Separation-ebook/dp/B002KQ639E

Cole, J. How Do I Feel About My Parents’ Divorce? Kindergarten to Grade 4. https://www.amazon.com/How-Feel-About-Parents-Divorce/dp/0749640952/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485967519&sr=1-1&keywords=how+do+I+feel+about+my+parents+divorce

Danziger, Paula, Amber Brown Sees Red. Ages 7-10.
https://www.amazon.com/Amber-Brown-Sees-Paula-Danziger/dp/0142412619/?tag=babble002-20

Gray, Kes. Mom and Dad Glue. Ages 5-8.
https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Dad-Glue-Kes-Gray/dp/0764162624/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485971803&sr=1-1&keywords=Mom+and+Dad+Glue

Higginbotham, Anastasia, Divorce Is The Worst. Ages 4-8.
https://www.amazon.com/Divorce-Worst-Ordinary-Terrible-Things/dp/1558618805/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485967996&sr=1-1&keywords=Divorce+is+the+worst

Holyoke, N. A Smart Girl’s Guide to Her Parents’ Divorce. Ages 9 and up.    https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Girls-Guide-Parents-Divorce-ebook/dp/B007TBXNAW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485966500&sr=1-1&keywords=a+smart+girls+guide+to+her+parents+divorce

Lansky,Vicki and Prince, Jane, It’s Not Your Fault Koko Bear. Ages 3-7. https://www.amazon.com/Your-Fault-Koko-Bear-Read-Together/dp/0916773477/ref=zg_bs_3050_15?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=N6HX262DMX1HWX20VTGS

Masurel, Claire, Two Homes. Ages 3-7.
https://www.amazon.com/Two-Homes-Claire-Masurel/dp/0763619841/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0763619841&pd_rd_r=Z8828WCBNCEJK1YG2Q2R&pd_rd_w=tv0pV&pd_rd_wg=5tGTM&psc=1&refRID=Z8828WCBNCEJK1YG2Q2R

Parr, Todd, The Family Book. Ages 2-5.
https://www.amazon.com/Family-Book-Todd-Parr/dp/0316070408/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1485966654&sr=1-1

Rogers, Fred, Let’s Talk About It: Divorce . Ages 4-8.
https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Talk-About-Divorce-Rogers/dp/0698116704/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485966388&sr=8-1&keywords=Let%27s+Talk+about+divorce

Rogers F., Let’s Talk About It: Step Families. Ages 4-8.
https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Talk-About-Stepfamilies-Rogers/dp/0698116658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485967093&sr=8-1&keywords=let%27s+talk+about+it%3A+stepfamilies

Stern, Zoe, Divorce Is Not the End of the World: Zoe and Evan’s Coping Guide for Kids. Ages 8-12. https://www.amazon.com/Divorce-Not-End-World-Coping/dp/1582462410/ref=pd_sim_14_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1582462410&pd_rd_r=AX8Y7CZ5VMSBC8J1025W&pd_rd_w=afv9H&pd_rd_wg=qWFoh&psc=1&refRID=AX8Y7CZ5VMSBC8J1025W

Thomas, Pat, My Family’s Changing. Ages 4-7.
https://www.amazon.com/My-Familys-Changing-First-Look/dp/0764109952/ref=pd_sim_14_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0764109952&pd_rd_r=XMGV2HB1SM7CWZ11HD8E&pd_rd_w=w5ms8&pd_rd_wg=XcLfC&psc=1&refRID=XMGV2HB1SM7CWZ11HD8E

ARTICLES

How to Handle the Impact of Grief and Stress During Divorce:
http://openpalmlaw.com/stress-during-divorce-blog/

Divorce Ain’t Pretty But It Doesn’t Have to Get Ugly – http://collaborativefamilylawsandiegoblog.com/divorce-aint-pretty-but-it-doesnt-have-to-get-ugly/

Forging a Divorce Narrative for Your Young Adult Children   http://www.mydivorcerecovery.com/forging-a-divorce-narrative-for-your-young-adult-children/

Help Your Children Cope with Divorce by Co-Parenting With Less Conflict
http://gabardi.com/2013/05/22/help-your-children-cope-with-divorce-by-co-parenting-with-less-conflict/

The Divorced Co-Parent’s Vacation Planning Checklist
http://gabardi.com/2013/07/03/the-divorced-co-parents-vacation-planning-checklist/

Is Holding On To My Marital House Really Worth It?   
http://njcollaborativeprofessionals.com/blog/is-holding-on-to-my-marital-house-really-worth-it/

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

A website with a shared calendar for co-parents. This website provides a private, secure messaging center for communicating with the co-parent, as well as a way to keep track of children’s expenses and who paid what: www.Co-Parently.com

Using a Children’s Checkbook

Zero to Three.org: https://www.zerotothree.org/parenting