Divorcing With Young Children: What To Consider
Divorce can be especially complex when young children are involved. This process often significantly impacts child development. Navigating it successfully is important to your child’s well-being.
As you approach a divorce with young children, keeping a few considerations in mind can help you traverse this process more smoothly. You won’t be able to predict everything your child will need, but you can better anticipate the major concerns that may arise after the divorce.
Where Will They Attend School?
Divorce is a major change for children, and keeping as much of their lives the same as possible can help them better adapt to this new norm. Consider whether your child will be able to attend the same school, or whether child custody arrangements will move them into a different district during school days.
Then think about logistical details, such as:
- Transportation to and from school
- After-school care
- Attendance at parent-teacher conferences
How Will You Approach Extracurricular Activities?
Navigating extracurricular activities can be challenging when parenting time is shared and those activities overlap with both parents’ time with the child. Will you both be involved in these activities? Will one parent be responsible for taking them to all practices and games? How will you approach extracurricular activities that fall into the other parent’s parenting time?
How Will You Approach Future Educational Expenses?
Child support calculations are generally determined by state law, but it may be helpful to think long-term about future financial responsibilities, such as college. Will both parents contribute to the child’s college fund? Will neither? Have these discussions now to avoid disputes years down the line.
What Parenting Time Schedule Makes Sense?
The main goal of developing a parenting plan should be prioritizing the child’s best interests. With this in mind, what parenting schedule makes sense for your child? Some families split time between weekdays and weekends. Others divide time between the school year and summer.
How Will You Successfully Co-Parent?
Implementing effective co-parenting strategies can help you promote your child’s well-being. Think about strategies you can use to create consistency for your child, such as:
- Letting the child stay in one home while both parents take turns living in the home
- Keeping holiday plans consistent from year to year
- Giving the child plenty of advance notice about changes to the typical parenting schedule
How Might Your Parenting Plan Change As Your Child Ages?
Going through a divorce with young children requires you to think long-term about what aspects of your parenting plan might change over time. As your child ages, their needs and routines will change. They will gain independence and spend less time with their parents in general. They may also have stronger opinions about which parent they want to live with and how they spend their time.
Consider how you will adapt to changes and the level of flexibility you want to maintain in your parenting plan.
Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C.: Protecting Your Parental Rights
Divorcing with young children can present complex challenges, but at Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C., we provide guidance to parents navigating this process. Contact us at (866) 349-4117 for a confidential consultation.
