Jann Blackstone

Dr. Jann Blackstone is a child custody mediator and the author of "Co-Parenting For Dummies" and “The Bonus Family Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Co-Parenting and Creating Stronger Families."

Prior to the divorce, co-parents must settle who will claim the child as a dependent, and thus potentially qualify for additional tax benefits. It is common for the custodial parent, the one who spends more than half a year with the child, to claim them as a dependent. However, Roberts said, "it's not unusual for divorced couples to alternate." Meaning one parent claims the child as a dependent one year and the other the next. Previously, she explained, when single-worker households were the norm, the primary breadwinner would claim the child since they had more taxable income. Now, given the rise of two-worker households, parents who evenly share responsibility for raising a child can more flexibly move the dependent status back and forth.

Ex-etiquette: Time for parents to put differences aside, work together

April 9, 2020 at 9:33 a.m.

Q. My ex and I are always at odds when it comes to time with our child. She constantly plans things on my time and it makes it difficult to...

Something as simple as a romantic dinner out on Valentine's Day (especially if you have kids) to spend some quality time together will still be a great date idea. And a well-thought card expressing your love for each other goes a long way. (Viktoria Faion/Dreamstime/TNS) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, TCN - OUTS **

Ex-etiquette: Dealing with mutual friends after divorce

March 4, 2020 at 11:19 a.m.

Q. I had a terrible divorce that eventually became amicable, thank goodness, but I moved away as a result and have not been back to the small town I lived...

Rushing into moving in together can put strain on even the most easygoing relationship.

Ex-etiquette: Setting boundaries with an ex

February 19, 2020 at 12:15 p.m.

Q. My wife is still very dependent on her ex. He is very handy and I am not. When something needs to be fixed around the house, she calls him...

One must allow enough time to pass after the end of a relationship so that they can comfortably be in the present in the new one.

Ex-etiquette: A Valentine from beyond the grave

February 13, 2020 at 1:29 p.m.

Q. This sounds like a movie script, but my wife of three years has received a Valentine from her deceased husband every year since we have been married. I guess...

When it comes to sharing holidays with your partner, their kids and maybe their ex...you might just have to deal with it.

Ex-etiquette: Sharing holidays with the ‘ex’ feels unnatural

October 30, 2019 at 12:14 p.m.

Q: So each year when Halloween rolls around your column talks about trick-or treating with your partner's ex and the kids and I always think, "How stupid. Who would really...

Ex-etiquette: Can there be a ‘just us’ holiday time?

October 14, 2019 at 11:34 a.m.

Q: I've been reading your column for some time. It seems you have been there and always point out things I don't see, so I thought I would ask about...

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