Neave Family Law Group, P.A.

Divorce Pro Tip: Update your important life documents. Your spouse may have handled things like the estate planning, financial planning, power of attorney documents and medical power of attorney in the past. But now that you’re on your own, you need to make critical decisions about who you will want to inherit your assets if you pass away, who you will want to make important decisions when you’re not able to, and other related key life decisions. Update all documents to reflect the new people handling these things for you in the future. #NeaveFamilyLaw

Are you a fan of New Year's resolutions? In 2025, resolve to get more sleep. Yes. Sleep more. There’s no need to burn both ends of the candle. Research suggests we get a minimum of 7-8 hrs of sleep per night. Realistically, depending on your schedule, this may not always be possible. That’s fine. But, be specific about the time you go to sleep every night and wake up in the morning. Consistent sleep is just as important as the amount of sleep you get. Avoid the glaring screens of phones, tablets, computers, etc., at least 60 minutes prior to your bedtime. And, if you need it, Melatonin is a natural sleep aid that can help to set the tone for quality sleep. Ample, quality, consistent sleep will enable your mind, body and spirit to operate optimally throughout the day. You deserve that!

Divorce Pro Tip: As you approach the start of a new year, appreciate the lessons your marriage taught you. Whether you’ve labeled it a failure or not, there will be decisions you look back on and wish you made differently. While regret is a natural reaction to those thoughts, it’s also a prime time to take away some lessons. Where did you go wrong? How could you have approached things differently? If you did everything right, how could you have expressed yourself better? Could you have been a better listener? As you prepare to make a fresh start, determine what you can work on to ultimately make you happier with yourself. #NeaveFamilyLaw

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from Neave Family Law! During this season of reflection and togetherness, we are grateful for the trust you place in us to guide you through life’s challenges. To our clients and community, we wish you peace, strength and moments of joy this holiday season. May the New Year bring hope, healing and new beginnings. #NeaveFamilyLaw #SeasonOfHope

A word to the wise...do not spend the holidays alone. Yes, it can be tempting to crawl into a cave and hibernate during our first holidays alone – especially if your ex has the kids. However, we urge you to resist the temptation. There’s no reason to punish yourself, for that’s what hiding in a cave during the holidays is. We're not saying that you don’t need time alone. You very well might. We're just suggesting that instead of spending all of the holiday alone, make an effort to go out and spend some time with others. You’ll get a different perspective of your first holidays as a re-singled person if you open yourself up to even a little fun celebrating the holidays with others! Instead of gathering with friends, consider volunteering to help serve meals through a local charity. Helping others in need can actually help get you out of your own thoughts for awhile and help you connect to the larger world we live in. Know that we are with you in spirit and wish you the joy of the season! #NeaveFamilyLaw

Try to be flexible over the next few weeks. The holidays are about celebrating with family and friends and don’t HAVE to occur on only one specific day. Many clients who are celebrating the holidays for the first time as a single parent get tied up with the idea that holidays can only happen on the official day marked on the calendar. For example, it’s not unusual to think that Christmas Day can ONLY happen on December 25th. However, with a bit of advance planning, you may decide that your holiday will actually happen the Saturday before so you can celebrate it with your kids. Having an early holiday even has the added benefit of allowing you to avoid the crowd buying the last-minute meal fixings! Think about it from your kids’ point of view too. Most kids love the holidays and having double the holidays – one with Mom and one with Dad – might be something the kids think is great! #NeaveFamilyLaw

The holidays are typically a time for celebration with friends and family. Yet, when you’re divorcing, the holiday season can feel anything but merry. To help you enjoy this holiday season instead of dreading it, concentrate on being patient. Even in the best of times, the holidays can be a bit hectic. However, when you’re celebrating the holidays for the first time on your own, they can feel more than hectic. They can feel overwhelming! You’ve got so much going on emotionally with your divorce that the added tasks, events and scheduling of the holidays can all be just a bit too much. Be patient with yourself, your kids and the rest of your family as you navigate the holidays. This is new and different for everyone and a little patience will go a long way toward making your first holidays post-separation/divorce more enjoyable than you might believe they can be right now. #NeaveFamilyLaw

Divorce Pro Tip: Spend quality time with your children. Make it a point to enjoy fun activities and create new traditions with your children. Believe us when we say it can help ease the post-divorce transition. No matter how busy and overwhelming your new day-to-day routine becomes, dedicate some time each day to checking in with your children and relaxing as a family. You don’t need to make every moment fun and exciting or deviate too much from your regular routine. But you might take time for one fun outing each week, like a trip to a movie, the beach or park. Establish new rituals, like cooking dinner together or having a board game night. Spend 30 minutes each evening sharing details from your day. If your children have questions about the divorce, it’s generally best to answer questions in an honest but age-appropriate manner. - Maintain a calm and neutral tone. - Avoid critical, judgmental and unkind comments about the other parent. - Stick to the facts. - Emphasize that sometimes relationships don’t work out, however hard partners try. This can help you lay a foundation for healthy relationship skills — if the kids someday find themselves in an unhappy relationship, they’ll know they have the option to leave. #NeaveFamilyLaw

Divorce Pro Tip: Create a Co-Parenting Plan. Evidence suggests children do better when parents cooperate to share parenting responsibilities: According to a 2014 summary of 40 studies, spending at least 35 percent of the time with each parent led to better emotional, behavioral, and physical health and improved relationships with both parents. Try to focus on what’s best for your children, not who “wins” or gets a “better deal.” Say your ex works from home and plans to continue living in the neighborhood where your children already go to school. It might make more sense for your children to spend slightly more time there during the school season and more time with you during the summer. A good co-parenting plan includes things like: * scheduled time with each parent * routines for bedtime, homework time and screen time * rules and consequences for breaking them * chores and other household responsibilities * ways you will stay in touch with the kids while they’re with the other parent In short, a good plan lets your children know, “We may no longer live together, but we’re still on the same page when it comes to you.” #NeaveFamilyLaw

💛 Finding Strength During the Holidays 💛 The holiday season can be especially challenging if you’re going through a divorce. At Neave Family Law, we understand that this time of year might feel overwhelming, but we want you to know that you are not alone. ✨ Here’s What We Hope You Remember: 1️⃣ Take it One Day at a Time: It’s okay to not feel festive every moment. Focus on small, manageable steps to care for yourself and your family. 2️⃣ Lean on Your Support System: Friends, family, or even a trusted professional—having someone to talk to can make a world of difference. 3️⃣ Create New Traditions: While the old traditions may feel bittersweet, this is an opportunity to start fresh and create moments that reflect your new journey. 4️⃣ Be Kind to Yourself: Give yourself grace. Healing takes time, and it’s okay to prioritize your well-being. 💡 You Are Stronger Than You Think: The holidays are about love and gratitude. Even during tough times, focusing on what you do have can help bring light to the season. 💛 From our family to yours, we wish you peace, hope and strength this holiday season. #NeaveFamilyLaw #HolidayStrength