Northstar Approach to Co-Parenting & Divorce Decision Making – Putting The Kids First
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law
When courts are asked by two parents to make decisions about child custody and visitation for the parents, they consider what arrangement will be in the child’s best interests. Most judges consider a variety of factors, including all of the following and more:
things like whether the current situation is working well for the child (if so, they’re unlikely to change it) and which parent will be most likely to support the child’s relationship with the other parent (a cooperative parent definitely has an advantage in a custody dispute). Beyond these basic things, though, each state has its own rules about what is in the child’s best interests. Click on your state below to find out what your state’s rules are, and look at articles and FAQs for more information.
- Age of the children. …
- Each parent’s living situation. …
- Each parent’s willingness to support the other’s relationship with the children. …
- Each parent’s relationship with the children before the divorce. …
- Children’s preferences.
Beyond these basic things, though, the determination is fact dependent on each case and it’s very possible that two judges could evaluate the same case facts and make opposing decisions. It’s discretionary. In mediation, where two parties come together to make decisions about their finances and children with the objective being an agreement each can live with, parties sometimes put the best interests of the children at the forefront of all their decisions. This can mean different things to different people but the same objective exists for all those divorcing parties who agree to view their decisions through the paradigm of how it will impact their kids. Simply stated, the kids come first and we want an arrangement that helps them thrive.
The Northstar Approach to Divorce Decision Making:
Chief PeaceKeeper™ Scott Levin and Co-Parenting Coach, podcast host, and author Carly Israel have recorded the following video about the Northstar Approach. Carly coaches her clients going through divorce to keep the focus on what’s best for the kids and she terms this the Northstar approach. These two professionals and colleagues speak about the benefits and difficulties associated with the Northstar Approach Learn about Carly, her practice, approach, and why she is renowned as a coach and divorce professional. Enjoy this great video about child custody mediation and divorce.
About Scott Levin:
Scott Levin is an attorney who practices mediation in San Diego and he focuses all his professional efforts to resolve disputes through open dialogue and communication as opposed to relying on the litigation system. Scott is the founding partner of San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law. Schedule a call with Scott at
About Carly Israel:
Carly Israel is a Co-Parenting Coach at In Your Corner Divorce, a published author, Seconds & Inches: A memoir (Sept. 2020), Huffington Post contributor, host of two podcasts: In Your Corner Divorce & Northstar Big Book. Mother of three wild boys, sober warrior, and beautiful mess. Scott and Carly both have 3 boys and they love collaborating with each other to help couples navigate divorce peacefully and with a focus on the best interests of the children.
