children

Published on: July 25, 2018

For a Healthy Summer, Limit Kids’ Gaming

Mark Griffin, M.E., Blog Writer

It’s summertime, and that means kids around Greensboro will be beating the heat. But they probably won’t be hanging out at the pool or lake like their parents did. It’s more likely they will be huddled around their electronic devices playing video games or watching YouTube. The World Health Organization has recently classified addiction to video games as a certified mental disorder. Our children are particularly susceptible during the summer months when they are out of school and have less structured activities. Continue reading →

Published on: July 18, 2018

How I Built a Close Father-Daughter Relationship After Divorce

Mark Griffin, M.E., Blog Writer

By Woodruff Family Law Group

Divorce is never easy. It turns your world upside down. Ending a relationship you thought was to last till death forces you to part is emotionally devastating. When you are a parent, and throw children into that emotional turmoil, then you have to deal with a hurricane of guilt and remorse. Continue reading →

Published on: July 2, 2018

9 of the Best Apps for Families

Venn Crawford, non-attorney Marketing Assistant

By Woodruff Family Law Group

Looking for a new way to organize or connect? Here are some of the best apps for families.

Continue reading →

Published on: June 27, 2018

Communication is Key: Parent-Teacher Communication (Part 4)

Mark Griffin, M.E., Blog Writer

By Woodruff Family Law Group

If you have children, you likely have gotten that dreaded call from your child’s teacher. Unfortunately, it’s almost always negative. I am a public school teacher of 87 middle schoolers but I also have two daughters. Therefore, I’ve been on both ends of the call. I have experienced exasperation as both a teacher and a parent. However, I’ve also experienced the unstoppable synergy that occurs when teachers and parents work together to help a student reach their academic potential. Continue reading →

Published on: June 25, 2018

Communication is Key: Tips for Family Communication (Part 3)

Mark Griffin, M.E., Blog Writer

By Woodruff Family Law Group

No family wants to suffer the social embarrassment of having the cops called on them. As a former police officer, I discussed domestic violence calls in my last blog. Now, here are three of my tips to prevent that from happening in the first place. Continue reading →

Published on: June 6, 2018

Ask Carolyn: My Child’s Mother is Unfit. What Can I Do?

Carolyn Woodruff, J.D., C.P.A, C.V.A.

By Woodruff Family Law Group

Dear Carolyn,

I reluctantly entered into a consent child custody order with the mother of my child in 2013. We were never married and never actually lived together. The child is now five having been born in 2011. I get visitation under the 2013 order, but the court never heard any evidence in 2013. We simply agreed. Now, I am very concerned this mother is unfit. Continue reading →

Published on: May 30, 2018

Ask Carolyn: What is the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act?

Carolyn Woodruff, J.D., C.P.A, C.V.A.

By Woodruff Family Law Group

Dear Carolyn,

I am the father of two children, ages 10 and 12. The mother of the children lives in West Virginia, where she moved after our divorce. The children were born and always have lived in North Carolina. The North Carolina order for custody allows the children to travel to West Virginia for 5 weeks in the summer. Last year the mother did not return the children when she was supposed to at the end of the summer, and the court here held mother in contempt. Continue reading →

Published on: May 23, 2018

Ask Carolyn: How Can I Help with My Grandchild’s Day Care Tuition?

Carolyn Woodruff, J.D., C.P.A, C.V.A.

By Woodruff Family Law Group

Dear Carolyn,

I am a grandmother, and I want to help pay for the tuition for my grandchild’s day care and education at a nice day care facility. Then, my daughter and son-in-law can work without worry. They own their own business, and they both need to focus some quality time on the business, while maintaining my grandson as top priority. My toddler grandson will benefit from the education and interaction with the other children at this particular day care, but it is darn expensive. Should I give the money directly to my daughter or to the day care? Is there a tax advantage one way or another?

– Grandmother of the best grandchild ever…

Continue reading →

Published on: May 16, 2018

How Can I Make the Most of Time with My Kids?

Carolyn Woodruff, J.D., C.P.A, C.V.A.

By Woodruff Family Law Group

Dear Carolyn,

I am a father of a beautiful 8-year-old daughter and a handsome 10-year-old son. I live here, but the mother lives in California. The mother has custody, but the children will be visiting with me for the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August. While I don’t have much time given the distance between the mother’s house and mine, I really want to make the time count that I do have. I can take two of the weeks off from work, but I have to work two of the weeks. What suggestions do you have?

– Dedicated Dad

Continue reading →

Published on: May 2, 2018

Ask Carolyn: Will My Daughter’s Age Keep Me from Getting Custody?

Carolyn Woodruff, J.D., C.P.A, C.V.A.

By Woodruff Family Law Group

Dear Carolyn,

I have a two year old daughter and the mother and I are facing a custody trial. The mother, in my opinion, has some mental disorders and has been treated for long-term depression. The mother breast fed, and mother and daughter are close. I feel, however, that I am the better custodial parent. Will the daughter’s age and sex keep me from being a custodial parent until she is older? Will the court listen to me, or am I just out of luck until my daughter is older?

– Dad

Continue reading →