Parenting as a couple is not easy, parenting alone can be challenging, and parenting during a divorce can be downright problematic. Not only are you dealing with your own emotions but you are also caring for your children who may not understand exactly what is going on.
If you are contemplating a separation from your spouse or are you already in the middle of divorcing with children involved, you need to think about your kids. Whether you are working out the logistics of single parenting or sorting through your finances, your children are a part of every aspect of your case.
Tips for going through a divorce with children
From the experienced family law attorneys at Brandon Legal Group, here are helpful tips for divorcing with children.
1. A bad spouse does not equal a bad parent no matter what happened in your relationship.
Understand that you both love your children and your children love you. In the majority of situations, both parents will do what is best for their children. There are times where this may not be the case, and those circumstances need special consideration. No matter how old, children with parents going through a divorce just need love. They should not be put in the middle of their parents’ marital problems and Florida law recognizes this. In determining what will be in the best interest of a child, Florida Statute §61.13(a) states that “The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship, to honor the time-sharing schedule and to be reasonable when changes are required,” will be considered when determining what time-sharing schedule is in the best interests of the child. This means that the courts are looking for parents to encourage relationships between the other parent and their children, to work together for the benefit of the children, and to cooperate when necessary so that the divorce is not a hardship on the children.
2. Do not share information about your divorce with your children!
Florida Statute §61.13(r) states that the court will consider the “capacity and disposition of each parent to protect the child from the ongoing litigation as demonstrated by not discussing the litigation with the child, not sharing documents or electronic media related to the litigation with the child, and refraining from disparaging comments about the other parent to the child” when determining what is in the best interests of the child. Your children do not need to know what is going on in your divorce case– period. They will pick up on enough just by how their lives are changing throughout the process. There is no need to tell them about every document your soon-to-be ex files with the court. This only serves to make your children feel stressed and insecure.
For more tips about divorcing with children, check back for Part II.
