Feeling Safe in Your Own Home – Orders of Protection

Posted by Kathleen Shaul on

Each year, thousands of Missourians become victims of domestic violence.  While most people think of domestic violence as a women’s issue, Kathleen has had both male and female clients that have been stuck in a pattern of verbal abuse that often turns violent late at night when the abuser gets his or her hands on alcohol.  While the victims of abuse often think they can handle the abuser, their kids often see and hear much more than the victims think.

Domestic violence can take many different forms and can have life-altering effects for you and your children.  However, help is available.  Continue reading “Feeling Safe in Your Own Home – Orders of Protection” →

Family, Fun and Free – Custodial Parent’s Tips for Making an Ordinary Day Feel Like Summer Camp

Posted by Kathleen Shaul on

With the weather warming up and the days getting longer, everyone is eager to get outside. When a couple shares custody of a child, the non-custodial parent often attempts to make up for not seeing the child everyday by taking the child to do activities.  These activities are often costly, such as riding the roller-coasters at Six Flags, sitting in the “Green Seats” at the Cardinals games, or making sand castles during a beach vacation to Florida.  The custodial parent can often feel like the less-fun parent, taking care of the daily needs of the child.  However, creating fun and meaningful memories with your child does not have to be expensive.  There are several activities you can do together that don’t require excessive planning or reservations. Continue reading “Family, Fun and Free – Custodial Parent’s Tips for Making an Ordinary Day Feel Like Summer Camp” →

Considerations for Family Access Motions (“FAMs”)

Posted by Kathleen Shaul on

Family law is an emotionally-charged area of law that deals with family-related matters, often including children. When a relationship ends, custody and visitation orders are promptly addressed within the decree. This court ordered custody becomes a serious feature of the decree, influencing the future relationship that children sustain with both parents. Child visitation matters can be challenging and often entail a variety of hurdles, such as out-of-state-parents and step-parents.

Following court-ordered visitation can be difficult. Though the intent may start out positive, misinterpreting orders, misunderstanding expectations, scheduling conflicts or communication challenges can create many problems.  Though some instances of visitation violation are unavoidable and may show good cause, abusing that situation, or repeat occurrences create unwanted problems for all parties involved. Because of this, parents often forget that their anger and frustration toward each other is a battle between two adults and should not include the children. Continue reading “Considerations for Family Access Motions (“FAMs”)” →

A Rocky Road to Adoption

Posted by Kathleen Shaul on

Planning a family is something that couples anticipate with great joy and a hint of nervousness. For couples considering adoption, the process can be complicated with uncertainties, unknowns, and plenty of what-ifs. Toss in the emotional turmoil this causes for all parties, and it can be a long, stressful process.

A recent adoption case handled by The Law Offices of Kathleen E. Shaul involved three states, a birth father in prison, and a married biological mother but ended on a happy note for the adoptive family after an 18-month process. Continue reading “A Rocky Road to Adoption” →