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Some long over due help for parents and families with adult children with disabilities...

State lawmakers are cheering the final approval of a new law that will allow the parents of adults with developmental disabilities to continue to receive child support payments. 

The measure approved this month by Gov. Kathy Hochul allows parents of children with developmental disabilities to petition courts to receive support payments until their child is 26 -- providing expanded years of support for families. 

“This critical, common-sense piece of bi-partisan legislation will help the custodial parents of dependent adult-age children with disabilities support and provide for their families,” said Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, who sponsored the bill alongside Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh. “The needs of children with disabilities extend beyond the age of majority, and child support payments can be a lifeline for custodial parents to care for and meet the needs of their children.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Nick Reisman, Spectrum Local News
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

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For some this may be a new idea, but this is something I have spoken about before.  The way a couple communicates, and more importantly, the way a couple handles conflict and/or “arguments” reveals a tremendous amount about their relationship.  If you take the time to look or self-examine, you can improve resolution to conflict or argument. 

This article discusses and examines 5 different “styles” of fighting between couples.  It's a good read and I'm sure you will be able to identify yourself in these styles.

Remember, if you find that you are not happy with the communication level or the health of your relationship, you can always seek out a family specialist, like our professionals from the Collaborative Divorce Professionals.  We are trained to help couples figure out the problems of their communication and to learn tools for better communication and healthier relationships.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Nicole Yi, YourTango
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

Most people don’t look at it this way, but in fact, practically everything we do with our partner or spouse is a type of negotiation.  How and the manner in which we negotiate can truly determine how successful and healthy our relationship is. 

This article examines those tools and especially how Collaborative negotiations can be a type of problem solving that is very affective for couples.  As you will see, Collaborative negotiations allow a couple to effectively deal with every issue, from major decisions like child rearing to the simplistic decisions we make every day. 

This highlights the same tools used in Collaborative Divorce, which is also what makes a Collaborative Divorce so successful and beneficial to our clients.  This is why every family facing a divorce deserves a Collaborative Divorce.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Jeremy Brown, yourtango.com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

Although divorce rates did go up and many more cases were predicted for divorce rates to increase dramatically during Covid, Long Island divorce rates actually fell 31.6% during the first year of the pandemic.

Much of this is attributed by experts to limited court operations since the courts were essentially closed completely and then only became available through electronic filings for divorce and very limited conference or accessibility, unless you had an actual “dire emergency” that qualified for the court.  

The fact that the courts were unavailable to people and still have limited availability to everyone, has not changed the need for people to have intervention or help in their marital circumstances.

This is why the Collaborative Process is so vital.  It helps spouses and families navigate all the issues that are required to be addressed in a divorce proceeding without the necessity of the court system.  In essence, “court intervention” would only be required for the actual filing of divorce papers.  The parties could negotiate all other issues of their conflict and/or dispute, and resolve their divorce outside of court and only their paperwork would need to go to Court.

Based upon an article by Rachelle Blidner, newsday.com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love looking at old photos of people and places in past time periods.  I sometimes contemplate what it was like to live in that time period.  When I am at a location or historic place that has been around for centuries, I often think about what that building or geographic place may have seen over time and if these places could speak to us, what they would tell us about those who came before and how things have changed.  You can stand at a place or in a building that has seen multitudes of generations pass by.

This article has some amazing photos from the 1920s, especially some great shots of New York.  It's amazing how the world has changed and how technology has changed and sped things up - truly how life has changed.  Just look at the difference in your own lifetime and if you have children or nieces and nephews, how different their lives are from yours at their age.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Lisa Sammons, OnlyInYourState.com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

Whether you are looking for a lifetime partner or a significant long term relationship, you need to pay attention to red flags that show themselves in a relationship.  Conflict and disagreement are not necessarily a red flag in and of itself.  How conflicts are handled, what happens, and how you and your partner behave when you experience these obstacles can be very telling. 

Everyone experiences conflict, whether it’s with family, friends or even acquaintances.  It is truly unavoidable.  However, in your most personal primary relationships, especially with the partner in your life, you have the choice on how you decide to resolve conflict in your relationship. 

In addition to the excitement of dating someone new, you really have to pay attention to how your partner behaves after a conflict.  Remember, don’t be so blinded by the excitement that you chose to make excuses and not really examine what should be looked at as a red flag.

This article discusses several red flags that are very telling when exposed in a new relationship.  In looking at these seven red flags, what should be striking is how it involves how this partner chooses to interact and treat YOU.  Is it with open and honest communication?  Is it with respect for your feelings?

What are some red flags you have learned to look for? 

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Orna and Matthew Walters, YourTango.com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

I was extremely touched and happy when I read this in a news clip in my favorite American Grass Roots Network forum publication [LC (Lesbian Connection Volume 44)].  It was there that it was reported that:

San Francisco’s city's board of supervisors voted to protect the home where Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin lived from 1955 until Del's death in 2008, saying the women "were queer activists before queer activism was a thing ... and it is fitting that their home is the first San Francisco historic landmark dedicated to lesbian history."  Phyllis remained in the home until her passing in 2020, and then it was sold for probable redevelopment.  Lesbian historian Shayne Watson spearheaded the preservation effort and helped form Friends of the Lyon-Martin House.

This was exciting news, not only because it was the first historic landmark dedicated to lesbian history in San Francisco, but for many women, including myself, Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin were beacons of light and hope.  I remember many, many years ago (late 70’s), as a young high school student, reading Lesbian/Woman, a book published by Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon.  (The first edition of this book published in 1972).  In that book, Phyllis and Del discussed what it meant to be lesbian as well as the myths and stereotypes surrounding lesbianism.  It is now considered a foundational text of lesbian feminism. 

At that time much of the LGBTQ Community was “Closeted” or not visible.  Although more accepted and visible today, there is still much hate and as a result, fear.  I hope with more visibility and inclusion, there will be more acceptance.

Phyllis and Del were also the founders of The Daughters of Bilitis, one of the first lesbian rights organizations that were not only there for lesbian rights, but there to support all lesbians nationwide.

Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash.