Parenting Time Calendar

Parenting Time Schedules

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When a relationship ends, coming to an agreement on a parenting time schedule is not always an easy process. During the relationship, both mom and dad had access to their kids every day. But when mom and dad have separate homes, compromise plays a big role in navigating the new normal of co-parenting.

When it comes to navigating into separate households, acceptance of the fact that no one is going to get to spend as much time with the kids as they want is key.

In an ideal world, each parent would be able to see their kids every day.  Unfortunately, this is not a practical idea. Work schedules, school schedules, extra curricular activities. The list goes on!

In addition to the lack of practicality, the reality is, the two parents are ending a relationship. It is reasonable to assume there will need to be a little space put into place. To get to spend time every day with the children, spending time with your co-parent would required. Even in the most amicable circumstances, spending every day with your ex is not exactly ideal, when it comes to moving on.

With all of this in mind, how do parents decide who gets the kids and when?

Various factors come in to play, but at the end of the day, it comes down to what is in the best interest of the children.

Referring to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines is a good start, and a good reference when in doubt. In addition, the Indiana Supreme Court has developed a new parenting time calendar app (currently in beta version), based off of the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. After answering some basic questions about the children, such as their ages, and their school system, a twelve month calendar is generated. The user is able to modify certain components, to ensure it best reflects their personal families needs. The family is given a code for this calendar, which can be shared with the other party. This app is designed to be used for families with children age 3 and above.

 

 

 

 

 

Family Law Attorney

What is the Consultation Fee with Mario J. Zappia?

“Why is there a fee for the consultation?”

Having seen advertisements on television or online from other attorneys offering free consultations, people occasionally seem surprised that there is a fee for an initial meeting at my office.

So, what does the Mario J.  Zappia Law Office charge for consultations? And why is there a fee?

 

First, the consultation fee is $125 for 30 to 45 minutes.

 

The number one reason I require a fee for consultations is simple – You’re paying for legal advice from someone with more than 27 years of legal experience. During your consultation, we spend our time going over the details of your case, and formulate a good course of action with how to proceed. I provide each client my expertise in family law, whether they are clients just looking for 30 minutes of my time for legal advice,  or they are looking for an attorney to retain.

Just like you wouldn’t expect to walk into your doctor’s office for a free exam or assessment, you shouldn’t expect free legal advice from your attorney.

Another reason I require a consultation fee is that frankly, I am a busy man. By charging consultation fees, I am not clogging up my already busy calendar with people just looking for free advice. I am able to devote my time  and effort to my clients.

Finally, I chose to charge a consultation fee to discourage the practice of those who consult with multiple attorneys purely for the purpose of creating a conflict the opposing party. By charging a fee for consultation, this at least limits this from being a common occurrence.

Mario J. Zappia
Mario J. Zappia, Attorney at Law

When looking for a professional to hire, whether it be a handyman, a hairdresser, or a lawyer, it’s important to remember – you get what you pay for!  Contact my office at 574-277-8720 to schedule your expert family law consultation.

 

 

 

 

Mario J. Zappia

Mario J. Zappia – Certified Family Law Specialist

Mario J. Zappia is a Certified Family Law Specialist, as Certified by the Family Law Certification Board.  With fewer than 100 Family Law Specialists in the state of Indiana, this designation identifies Mario as an attorney with expertise. A Certified Family Law Specialist  must have a legal practice with substantial involvement in  family law cases, some of which include divorce, legal separation, adoption, custody, child support, Child in Need of Services, (CHINS), and grandparents rights. An example of ‘substantial involvement’ would be a practice consisting of more than 50% Family Law Cases. They must also provide references of five lawyers , as well as meeting good character requirements

Certified Family Law Sepcialist

Not only are there practice requirements, there are also education requirements to be a Certified Family Law Specialist.  Attorneys must participate in a minimum of thirty-six hours of continuing legal education within three years of application. This means that a Certified Family Law Specialist goes above and beyond their Indiana State Bar requirements.

A Certified Family Law Specialist must also pass a rigorous written exam in order for consideration for certification. The written exam covers family law, as well as professional responsibility, ethics, and differences between Indiana law and general law.

Once all of the pre-requisites have been completed, the Family Law Certification Board makes the decision to approve the  candidate.

Maintaining status as a Certified Family Law Specialist also requires re-certifying. The re-certification process requires an application process similar to the initial certification process.

When looking for a divorce lawyer,  an attorney to act as mediator, legal representation in a custody or child support modification, looking for someone with the Certified Family Law Specialist credential will ensure the highest level of expertise in family law. Mario J. Zappia’s Certification as a Family Law Specialist displays his skill, his work ethic, his reputation, and his commitment to practicing family law.

 

Mario J. Zappia family photo

Get to Know Mario J. Zappia

Mario J. Zappia Northwestern Wildcats #65

You may know Attorney Mario J. Zappia in a professional capacity from working with him, or from his online presence here, but what else do you know about Mario?

Mario is a Northwestern University alum. PlayinMario J. Zappia, Northwestern University Alumg for the Northwestern Wildcats  during his tenure ( #65!), Mario continues to show his school spirit at games with family and friends.

Mario and John Golf

Mario’s love of sports doesn’t end on the football field. On a hot day, you might find him on the golf course with a cold beer…

or on the water, catching fish.Mario J. Zappia South Bend attorney

Mario J. Zappia

On a cold day, you might find him on theslopes!

During the week, Mario makes sure to make it to the gym as often as he can. When his youngest, Anna,  is on break from DePaul University, she often accompanies Mario at his weekly GRIT classes.

As you might expect, family is very important to Mario. He is the father of three beautiful children, Mario Jr., John, and Anna.

Mario J. Zappia FamilyMario J. Zappia family photo

Mario Zappia dogs

Mario has two dogs, Roxy and Tucker, who sometimes visit the Mario J. Zappia Law Office.

Mario Zappia, Tony Zappia

Mario and his brother, Tony Zappia,  make their way down to visit their father in Florida as often as possible.

 

Mario has a love for cooking. He has even been known to bring his famous lasagna into the office for staff on occasion!

Chef Mario Zappia

In addition to sports, family, and cooking, Mario has a love for music. Especially blues music!

Whether there is music going in his office between court or he is out supporting local musicians, Mario is rarely surrounded by silence.

Knowing all about Mario’s deep love for family and his support in the local community provides a lot of insight on who he is! His commitment to children and families not only brings clients into his office, but consistent respect from fellow colleges and the community.

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mario jess

Meet the Team – Jessica Ribaudo, Paralegal

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If you have ever called or visited the Mario J. Zappia Law Office, you have probably met my paralegals. For those that have not, meet Jessica.

Jessica has been working as one of my two paralegals for the last year. As a paralegal, she acts as a legal administrative assistant to me, providing legal research, scheduling appointments, drafting documents, maintaining client files and taking calls. Jessica also takes care of billing and collections, as well maintaining our social media presence and blog here on Zappialaw.com.

Attorney Mario J. Zappia and Paralegal Jessica Ribaudo

 

Photography by Emily Violet
Photo Credit: Photography by Emily Violet

 

Jessica is the mother of two children, Serafina age 12, and Vincenzo, age 1. You may have seen one or both of them around the office. Serafina is on the autism spectrum and has given Jessica the drive to understand and help people and their families who live with autism and varying other abilities. Having spent considerable time at South Bend’s Sonya Ansari Center for Autism when Serafina attended their adolescent program, Jessica was pleased to connect with the staff and other families. She found the common goal for staff and families alike was to enrich the lives of autistic adolescents, and to celebrate their differences.  Jessica continues to bring that outlook on disability to work with her every day when working with families touched by autism and other neuro-atypical abilities.

 

 

Photography by Hanah Tepe
Photo Credit : Photography by Hanah Tepe

Jessica maintains a presence in the civic and social activism community of South Bend, Indiana. If there is a community event on women’s rights, the rights of the disabled, the rights of people of color, and the rights of the LGBTQ community, you will likely see Jessica there.When she is not busy as a wife, mom, and paralegal, Jessica enjoys visiting local brewpubs with her husband, Pete, playing Old Time Appalachian music on her fiddle, hitting the weight room  and catching up on Netflix!

liz-lemon-dealbreakers

Relationship Deal Breakers

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What is a deal breaker? A deal breaker is a list of disqualifications in a partner.

On the Mario J. Zappia Attorney at Law Facebook page last week, we talked about infidelity and it’s status as a deal breaker. While some people are able to write off infidelity, most agreed that infidelity is a deal breaker.

What are some other common relationship deal breakers?

  • differing values
  • imbalanced sex drive
  • lack of agreement in having children
  • untrustworthy
  • drug/alcohol problem
  • anger problem/abusive

While it’s true that this list is subjective, as humans we are designed to weed out partners that could be deemed as unsafe. We find safety in going with a partner who has the fewest negative traits.

Studies also show that even people with some fairly optimal traits (good looks, intelligence) can have trouble maintaining relationships because their good traits are heavily eclipsed by their bad traits (impulsivity, lack of ambition)

What are some of your relationship deal breakers?

Answer in the comments below or on the Mario J. Zappia, Attorney at Law Facebook page.

 

 

 

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Contact Us

574-277-8720

52582 Indiana 933 North South Bend, Indiana, 46637

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