The goal of a family partnership is to nurture family relationships even under the difficult circumstances of divorce and separation. Basic family partnership principles include:

• Maintain a business-like relationship with the other parent and communicate accordingly
• Focus on the needs of your children and the strengths of your relationship with them
• Set boundaries and respect the other parent’s boundaries
• Protect your children from adult issues
• Never allow your children to become your best friends
• Do not use your children as messengers
• Keep your children out of the middle
• Do not make negative comments about the other parent
• Never ask your children to take sides
• Allow your children to develop their own safe relationship with the other parent, regardless of what you feel about them
• Avoid supermom / superdad syndrome of competitive parenting
• Avoid conflict in front of your children

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all child custody matters. To speak with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.