WHY Kids Need Both?
Our mission is to be a model of education, empowerment, and professional development that transforms the way all stakeholders navigate the challenges of maintaining the eternal unity of the family bond.
Right now, even though the US Census Bureau states that both marriage and divorce rates have decreased between 2008 and 2028, almost 50% of all marriages result in divorce. And many of those divorces involve children. The likelihood of legal battles among ex-partners who have children together is high. The children are often caught in the middle of a volatile situation, and they may be expected, even encouraged, to take sides with each parent against the other.
The predictable future if no action is taken, or if the separation process is drawn out, is that these children will be, at the very least, resentful of being robbed of a harmonious childhood. At the worst, the relationship with one or both parents may be destroyed. This kind of high-drama, disruptive experience could lead to a repeat pattern of destructiveness in the child’s future relationships with partners and their own children.
Kids Need Both is one of the leaders in bringing education and awareness of Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) into the courts, parent education curriculum, and schools; it is central to the organization’s service model. We only support organizations that show an understanding that children need both parents, and that both parents are equally capable of the choice to perpetrate PAS, or declare peace.
KNB creates the opportunity for concerned parents, child advocates and the legal system, to have a different way of handling highly volatile custody battles. The KNB model encourages harmony and workability, not destructive force.
Understanding the Family Law Environment
Judges cannot be expected to remember all the tiny details of your life that matter on a day long calendar. Since they are human, they might be biased, bored, or tired, making them unpredictable. Attorneys are not trained to take the role of counselor or coach, so when their client anxiously reaches out for answers, an attorney may feel annoyed and frustrated with their own client and therefore lack the interest to represent them optimally. It is important to understand who the professionals are and how they can benefit you in your case. It is also important to know the kinds of approaches that are available to you. The following describes the four main ways to approach a family law case.
What Makes Our Model Different?
Let’s Compare 4 Approaches…
Costs to Litigate
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- Initial Consultation ($250.00 – $500.00/hour)
- Retainer ($2,500.00 – $5,000.00)
- Filing Initial Pleadings (Summons and Initial Petition) ($1,200.00)
- Responding to Answer and/or Counter Petition ($1,000.00)
- Serving Discovery ($500.00)
- Responding to Discovery ($750.00)
- Preparing Financial Affidavit and Mandatory Disclosure Compliance ($1,800.00)
- Preparing Motions ($750.00)
- Preparing Motion for Attorneys’ Fees ($750.00)
- Responding to Motions ($750.00)
- Hiring Experts ($2,000.00)
- Hearings/Court Appearances ($4,500.00)
- Mediation (Court-Ordered) ($1,200.00)
- Co-Parenting Classes and Preparation of Parenting Plan ($500.00)
- Trial ($7,500.00 – $10,000.00)
- Appeal ($5,000.00)
Approximate Total Cost of Litigation: $32,700.00+
Costs to Mediate
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- Initial 2-hour consultation ($250.00 – $500.00)
- Follow up meeting (4 hours at $300.00/hour)($1,200.00)
- Preparation of Mediated Settlement Agreement ($500.00)
- Preparation of additional documents, such as Parenting Plan, Child Support Worksheet, and/or Dissolution filings (if necessary) ($500.00)
Approximate Total Cost of Mediation: $500.00 – $2,500.00