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A prenuptial agreement or "prenup" is a written agreement between two people who are contemplating marriage. If done properly, it is a valid, enforceable alternative to the provisions thatf family law makes for married and divorcing couples. While the scope of a prenup can be as narrow or broad as a couple chooses, the conversations around the agreement bring up fundamental issues about marriage and relationships that all couples should be having before they get married. Even if a couple chooses to forgo a prenup, having the discussions can be a loving, healthy way to enter into marriage with clarity and joint purpose.

At ReeseLaw, we work closely with families in transition. In past posts, we have talked about helping children adapt to a new normal by keeping some traditions and starting new ones. We know every family is different, so there are many ways to go about establishing a new tradition. We thought it would be worth sharing some of the range of activities our team finds fulfilling and fun for their holidays. We asked the team, and here are some great ideas to add to the mix of possibilities for your holidays.

When a family dynamic is heading for a change, communicating about what is happening can be difficult and stressful for all involved. In the latest episode of the podcast Family Matters With Reese Law, Kate had an enlightening conversation with Jennifer Dalton, the founder, and CEO of BrandMirror, and author of the book Listen: How to Embrace the Difficult Conversations Life Throws at You. They talked about the important findings in the book and some of Kate's insights from 25 years as a Family Law attorney, and they shared best practices for planning, holding, and surviving the most challenging conversations.

It's natural for adolescent development and parent-child conflict to go hand in hand. Le-Ann Solmonson, a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who owns a private practice in Nacogdoches, Texas, has worked with children and adolescents in school and clinical settings throughout her career. Time and time again, she's seen families fall into a pattern as children reach adolescence: The youth wants more autonomy - a normal aspect of adolescent development - and begins to push against their parent's rules and boundaries. In response, the parents tighten their control or inflict punishment, only to have the adolescent push back harder, break more rules and chafe against their parents' preferences. Thus begins a repeating spiral of friction, frustration and misunderstanding - on the part of both the teenager and the parents.

As Family Law practitioners, we see people at an incredibly emotional and transitional time. We need to understand what is going on with our clients, offer appropriate support, and be able to take care of ourselves as well. In the latest episode of Family Law Matters, Kate Reese and Christal Benton, both attorneys with the firm who happen to have Master's degrees in the counseling field, engaged in a lively exchange about emotional intelligence that covered some important aspects of this important skill to develop for ourselves and in relation to others.

The "sandwich generation" refers to adults who are caring for aging parents and minor children at the same time. According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2022, 23% of separated or divorced spouses are part of the sandwich generation. For them, planning and celebrating holidays can have an extra layer of challenge, particularly for people who share custody of their children. Fostering togetherness and honoring the traditions associated with the holidays can feel overwhelming, with two generations of family needing support and attention. Here are some tips for navigating the complex family dynamics and demands while still celebrating the holidays.

With the new school year come challenges and opportunities to help your children succeed in school. Every family and every child is different, so it can be hard to know what approach to take with a perennial struggle with homework. Whether a child is in one house or two, there are some approaches that can help bring about success. In Podcast Episode 17, Kate Reese spoke with Ann K. Dolin, M. Ed., the founder and owner of Education Connections, a tutoring business that serves the Northern Virginia area. Ann shared some useful perspectives and practices that apply to all families with school-aged children.

Once the thought of separation and divorce enters your mind, your second thought should be about process. It is never too soon for you and your spouse to seek information about options. When you understand your options, you are in a better position to make informed decisions about how to move forward.

Every family is different, and often the parent of a child marries another adult who wants to play a part in the life of the child. Where both biological parents continue to be interested in maintaining their parental rights, there are limits to a step-parent's legal right to assume a parental role for the child. However, in many instances, there are opportunities for an adult to have their relationship with a step-child recognized by the court.

When parents split up, children are forced out of the lives they know into unknown territory. No matter the level of acrimony, this transition is difficult, and often traumatic. While each family is different, and many factors can impact how children survive and thrive with this major change, parents can take some specific steps to ease the kids into a new normal.