Jump to Navigation

Baton Rouge Family Law Blog

Grandparents find relief through Louisiana parenting resources

Once a child has grown and ventures out into the world as an adult, many parents prepare for the joy of grand-parenting. However, for some, the role of being the grandparent who spoils the grandchildren for a weekend only to return them to the waiting arms of mom and dad has changed. Many grandparents in Louisiana have been left with legal custody of their grandchildren.

Thankfully, these grandparents do not have to assume these new parenting responsibilities alone. This was recently shown in Covington, Louisiana where a local organization sponsored a conference called Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

Is divorce impacting the health of young couples more?

The rigors of divorce can leave any Louisiana resident stressed. Stress can ultimately lead to ill health effects. However, a recent study revealed that divorce takes its toll on the health of younger couples more so than individuals who are later into their life.

A sociologist at Michigan State University conducted the study, which appeared in the journal Social Science & Medicine. In the study, researchers interviewed a combination of over 1,200 men and women throughout a 15-year period. These individuals ranged in age from 25 to 83.

Louisiana child support collection efforts peak in December

December of 2011 saw law enforcement in Louisiana round up and bring to justice many individuals for their failure to pay child support.

Pairing local law enforcement with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, the combined effort saw the arrest of 126 parents, recent data from the DCFS revealed. These non-custodial parents owed a combined $1.1 million in unpaid child support, robbing their children of money needed for everyday essentials.

Louisiana woman charged for abandoning infant

The Safe Haven Law in Louisiana allows parents to turn their newborn child in at a designated emergency care location (i.e. hospital, police/fire station, etc.). Parents who choose this option will not face criminal charges as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse or neglect. With this law, a parent must place the child in the arms of an emergency care employee. For parents that do not have transportation, they may call 911 for a law enforcement officer or EMS provider to pick up the baby. Parents can do this with children up to 31-days-old. Department of Children and Family Services will then begin proceedings to obtain custody of the baby to free the child for adoption.

A 35-year-old Pearl River, Louisiana woman could have safely and anonymously given up custody of her newborn infant. Instead, she will now face criminal charges for abandoning the child in her own backyard.

Parents of adopted children grapple with native holidays

Louisiana parents, in addition to parents elsewhere in the country, that have adopted international children face a relatively unique dilemma. While these parents are raising their children in this country to be future citizens of the United States, many wonder if, and to what extent, they should keep the traditions of the child's native country intact. Some parents choose to celebrate their child's heritage while others opt to leave their native customs behind.

There is no right or wrong way to address this while raising an international child of adoption. However, it will be an issue that many parents of adopted children think about as we approach the Lunar New Year, the longest and most important holiday in the Chinese culture. Because this holiday holds such special meaning to millions of people, parents of children adopted from Asia may choose to address the occasion and celebrate the land in which their child once came from.

Comic strip helps bring divorce to mass media

Even though families of divorce are prevalent in the United States, our country's mass media does not seem to proportionately represent that. While there are many television shows or reading materials that depict families that deviate from the traditional structure, they are certainly not within the majority.

Recently, one comic strip debuted in newspapers from Lousiana to Oregon, and more than 100 newspaper websites. It is shining a light on these millions of families as well as bringing a new twist to the funnies. The comic strip is called "Gil" and it chronicles the life of an 8-year-old boy (of which the strip's namesake is devoted to) who is primarily raised by his divorced mother. Compared to traditional comic strips like "The Family Circus," this is a comic that challenges the norms of its counterparts.

Social media puts troubled marriages in public

The dissolution of marriage is generally a very private matter. People do not usually want everyone knowing the details of a breakdown in their marriage; let alone what is happening in the divorce proceedings. However, popular social networking sites here in Louisiana and elsewhere is giving outsiders more and more of a view inside troubled relationships. Many times, our actions online can speak volumes, even if it is unintended.

Nowhere is this more apparent than on popular social media websites. Outsiders can read into situations like when a husband and wife do not 'friend' each other on this popular social media outlet. Some couples also choose not to list themselves as 'married' in the relationship status area of their profiles. In some cases, people can read too much into this sort of activity and perceive a marital problem when there is not one. However, when there truly is an issue inside a marriage, it will reflect on social media with an individual's tone and demeanor.

Men more likely to leave during serious illness

Many different things can contribute to prompting a divorce. One specific trend not only here in Louisiana but throughout the country is particularly troubling for outsiders looking in. Many husbands find themselves ditching their spouses in their greatest time of need: While battling a serious illness.

During a time in a marriage where the loving support of a spouse is greatly needed, many victims to illness find their husband or wife leaving them. While both men and women are guilty of this, studies show that men are far more likely to leave their spouse in this great time of need.

Police in Lafayette round up 'deadbeat dads'

Delinquent fathers in the Lafayette, Louisiana area have reason to be nervous these days. Members of the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office have ratcheted up efforts to bring to justice fathers that have chronically failed to live up to their child support obligations. They made some progress with their efforts, too.

Physically knocking on doors and searching for "deadbeat dads," law enforcement targeted 25 cases and 15 were resolved because of their efforts. Of these resolutions, five of these individuals were arrested and the other 10 were able to avoid jail in exchange for paying either restitution or a portion of the payments that they owed. Those not placed behind bars will have to appear in court where a judge will likely reinstate their monthly payments.

Few custodial parents receive full child support payments

Child support payments are undoubtedly vital for single parents in Louisiana and across the United States. In some cases, this could be the only monetary support available to a child, used to pay for things that are essential to his or her well-being. These facts make recent stats provided by the United States Census Bureau all the more alarming.

Recent numbers show that many individuals are not living up to their child support obligations, as "just 41.2 percent of custodial parents received the full amount owed to them during 2009." Stats tallied from 2007 had this number at 46.8 percent, showing a clear decrease in parents receiving the full amount they need for the year. Non-custodial parents owed a combined $35.1 billion during 2009. Just 61 percent of this number was actually received.

How Can We Help?

Please fill out the form below or call us at 225-293-8787 or 877-335-7910.

Bold labels are required.

Contact Information
disclaimer.

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

close
Office Location

The Rowe Law Firm
5157 Bluebonnet Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Local 225-293-8787
Toll-free 877-335-7910