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In a divorce involving children, it generally takes time for even amicable couples to make co-parenting communication work. In this day of smartphones and parenting software, technology is frequently touted as the next best thing for keeping parents and their children moving forward during and after divorce. But is technology the solution to high conflict it is advertised to be?
In courtrooms and mediation sessions across the country, parents are counseled about effective communication. Technological tools to help couples manage their children and their manners include:
- Email and text messaging give parents a way to quickly and effectively communicate details and decisions without face-to-face or phone confrontations.
- Online calendaring helps families keep track of parenting time and children’s activities.
- Software packages like Sharekids and Our Family Wizard provide multiple tools to manage parenting time, finances and other arrangements.
While the discreet distance, structure and documentation provided by technology helps most, these methods can also sustain dysfunction and conflict between parents in the following ways:
- Angry, persistent emails if one partner is not in agreement
- Failure to use agreed-upon technology, requiring the other party to personally contact the errant spouse for information
- One parent drawing out scheduling, financial and other discussions
In high-conflict matters, electronic tools sometimes provide different weapons and a once-removed battleground to continue the conflict that led them to technology in the first place.
In all cases, technology can be used to provide evidence in court — reams of it. If you have persistent difficulties navigating a shared parenting arrangement in Houston, seek experienced legal advice.
Contact us for help with your divorce, child custody, or other family law issue
Robert Reid McInvale
Attorney at Law
Robert Reid McInvale is an experienced family law attorney with a comprehensive practice in Houston. He provides dedicated and strong advocacy for his clients, helping them with all the issues surrounding their divorce, separation, child custody, and other marriage and family matters. Attorney McInvale—Reid to clients and friends—seemed destined for a law career. Born while his father was attending Emory University Law School, Reid grew up in Manchester, GA. His father was the city attorney for many years, as well as head of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. It is in the family blood to become lawyers and help people get justice. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall is part of the McInvale family tree.
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