Family Law Articles

What does it mean to be a parent? While some people may argue it’s purely biological, anyone who has held the role knows it goes far beyond nature. A parent’s responsibility is to nurture, provide, and above all else, protect, even if it means shielding their little ones from themselves. One in 10 children is exposed to substance abuse.

Americans are drinking more heavily than a decade ago. In today’s culture, people drink to celebrate life events, calm their nerves at social functions, and unwind after a long stressful day. But as demonstrated most recently during the pandemic, an increasing number of people are also using alcohol during parenting time. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, more than 7 million children under age 17 live with a parent who suffers from alcohol addiction.

Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment. While most people would echo this philosophy, exercising this in child custody and alcohol cases can be a steep battle. Add a global pandemic, a tumultuous co-parenting relationship, and false-positive results to the equation, and what constitutes “in the best interest of the child” becomes far less defined.

Much has been said of the generation born between 1981 and 1996. Millennials dethroned Baby Boomers as America’s largest generation in recent years, and compared to Boomers and Gen Xers, they’ve thoroughly embraced a digital footprint from a young age. Many Millennials own smartphones and use them to stay connected to the world and its many inhabitants. Millennials are active on social media and utilize apps for everything from productivity to guided meditation and exercise regimens.

Technology has impacted nearly every area of our lives. As telecommunications continue to advance and change, they can improve relationships between children and their parents in explicit and ancillary ways. Families can benefit from broader communication styles and new activities through the use of technology and embracing it as a solution for challenging issues.

Child custody can be a contentious issue in even the most amicable of divorces. The problem only worsens when alcohol abuse or misuse is involved. Generally, these issues manifest in one of three ways...

Alcohol abuse affects more than just the individual — It impacts their loved ones as well. The children of parents dealing with alcohol abuse are more at risk for behavioral problems and developing difficulties themselves. Children are very perceptive and quick to pick up on their caregivers’ unhealthy behaviors, whether they are biological parents or not. For this reason, both parents and step-parents suffering from alcohol abuse should take all measures necessary to prevent relapse and rebuild trust.

No matter the circumstances surrounding the end of a marriage, separating is often difficult, and tensions and emotions usually run high. When allegations of alcohol use arise, it can be particularly challenging to differentiate truth and hearsay without concrete evidence.

Keith Grossman, a mediator who has been resolving family and marital issues for over 20 years, talks about Collaborative Practice and how Soberlink can be used in cases involving alcohol. As someone who consults and educates clients about fair options to share and enhance time with their children, he discusses how Soberlink can help protect kids and give peace of mind.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyday life has drastically changed. Remote work has gained momentum as social distancing is a key measure for preventing and slowing the spread of the virus. While this work style comes with some specific benefits, this transition also brings some serious limitations and difficulties as routines and boundaries are disrupted.