Children and DivorceIf you have children and divorce is either a possibility or a reality, you are probably experiencing a whole new set of emotions in your life. Where you once worked together as a team on issues concerning the children, you may now find yourself battling over every little thing. The following sections discuss some of the issues that you will probably face concerning children and divorce. Child Custody discusses the various child custody arrangements available to you. How is Custody Determined? - This series of questions and answer will help you to understand how custody is decided in different situations. Military Child Custody and Visitation - Understanding the complications that arise due to jurisdiction, deployments, and more. Military Family Care Plan - It is important for a military mother with custody of her children to have a well thought-out FCP for periods of deployment. Here are some things to consider. Child Custody Mediation - Using an impartial third party to help you and your spouse reach an agreement about the children without going to court. Child Custody Issues understanding the basics of child custody decisions. Questions about temporary child custody - Answers from the legal expert. Questions about joint or shared physical custody - Answers from the legal expert. Considering 50/50 Custody? - While this may seem like a reasonable custody arrangement from a divorcing parent's perspective, it may not always be the best thing for the children. Split Custody - With this type of custody, both parents have physical custody of at least one child from the marriage. For example, one child lives with Dad and the other lives with Mom. Split child custody is often frowned upon by the courts but there are times when it makes sense. Understanding sole custody - both physical and legal and how it's determined. Questions about child custody and job issues - If you're worried about how your job or erratic work schedule will affect custody of your children, the following discussion can answer your questions. What Your Child Custody Agreement Should Include - Once you reach an agreement on custody, you will need to create a child custody agreement that outlines how each of the parents will continue to care for their children. Shared Parenting Custody Calendar - How to keep track of everything. Online Child Custody Calendar - Using an online visitation and tracking calendar can make it easier to see the schedule at a glance and keep detailed records of everything. Child Custody Jurisdiction - which state has jurisdiction over custody matters. Changing Child Custody - What you need to consider. Coping as a Non-custodial Parent - How to still be a great parent even if the kids don't live with you. When Your Child Chooses To Change Custody - Coping with the emotions. Explaining How Court Works to Kids - If you're facing mediation or have to go to court, these tips can help ease your kids worries about the process. Children and Parent Separation - Adjusting to the changes when you're the non-custodial parent. Custody Fight - Keep It Out Of Court outlines the reasons why custody litigation is not always the best solution. Preparing for Child Custody Battles - steps to take if you are facing a custody trial. How To Win Custody - Steps you can take to help your case. When Adopted Parents Divorce - Dealing with the special issues. Termination of Parental Rights - What is involved in giving up parental rights. Understanding Parental Rights - Answers from the legal expert. Your Child's Passport After Divorce - If you're concerned about the possibility of parental kidnapping after your divorce, you need to be aware of how issues concerning your child's passport should be handled. Passport Questions & Concerns - Do non-custodial parents need to provide passport consent? There are specific rules for issuing passports to children of divorced parents. Recording Cell Phone Voice Messages for use a evidence in a child custody battle. The Role of the Guardian ad Litem in child custody cases. Preparing for Your Custody Evaluation - gain an edge in your custody battle. Custody Assessment Issues - talks about how assessments are conducted. Critiquing Custody Assessments - evaluating custody assessments. Pet Custody - Who gets to keep the pets when a couple divorces. Child Visitation Issues » Return to top Child Visitation Rights - Answers from the legal expert.Long Distance and Out of State Visitation - How to set up your visitation schedule and handle travel plans. Child Visitation Problems - How to handle the situation when your child doesn't want to go. Handling Grandparents Visitation Rights - Grandparents rights to visitation can be a sensitive issue after divorce. Learn how to best approach this situation to avoid adding to an already stressful fork in a family’s road. Changing Visitation for the Wrong Reasons - Visitation can be changed due to a change in circumstances and if it's in the best interest of your child, but the following reasons don't qualify. Inconsistent Visitation - What to do when your ex doesn't show up. Summer Visitation Tips to make the transition easier for both you and your children. Making Visitation Easier - Strategies to help your children adjust to two homes. More Child Visitation Articles ... Getting Child Support - talks about how your children will be provided for after the divorce. Child Support Payment Options - Discusses the ways in which child support payments can be made. Child Support Questions and answers from the legal expert. Collecting Back Child Support - Do you have questions about collecting back child support? Get answers to your other questions and find out the various ways to collect delinquent support. Child Support and Visitation - Can you deny visitation if you haven't received the child support payment? More Child Support Articles..... Parenting Plan Overview - Having a detailed parenting plan included in your divorce papers can help reduce future struggles over how everything is handled with the children. Find out what should be included. Parenting Plan Template - develop your own individualized parenting plan based on your children and divorce situation. Parenting Plan Modifications - Answers from the legal expert on making changes to your parenting plan. Parenting Time Visitation Schedule Modification - Tips for making changes over time. Updating Co-Parenting Plans - As your children mature, it makes sense to adjust your parenting to reflect the changes in their lives and schedules. Here are some ideas on reassessing your current plan and making adjustments that will work for everyone involved. Shared Parenting Suggestions - Ideas for making the transition between two homes easier on your children. Using A Parenting Plan Calendar to keep up to date on everything concerning your children and divorce decisions. Shared Parenting Custody Calendar - How to keep track of everything. Resolving Conflicts » Return to top A Parenting Coordinator can help solve children and divorce issues without going to court. How The Parent's Conflict Affects Children - When there is a lot of animosity between the parents, the children pick up on the hatred and feel caught in the middle of a battle where they are the losers. Co-parenting and Child Health Issues - How can you make sure your ex provides the proper care for your child at his house. Are You An Alienating Parent? - This article highlights some the subtle ways a parent can unintentionally damage the bond between their child and their ex after divorce. Parental Alienation Symptoms - There are certain behaviors that children exhibit when they are exposed to a parent's effort to isolate and turn them away from the other parent. Find out what they are. Parental Alienation Syndrome - Understanding how and why some parents will intentionally take actions to destroy the normal affectionate bond a child feels towards their other parent. You will also learn about the science behind the research and the effects of children experiencing PAS. Coping as an Alienated Parent - Being an alienated parent is an extremely frustrating and hurtful position to be in. No matter how hard you try, it seems like nothing works to rebuild your relationship with your child. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being the alienated parent, this advice can help you cope with what you are experiencing. Parental Alienation Resources - These resources were assembled to help alienated parents who are the target of a vindictive ex determined to isolate them from their child and break their child's previous loving bond them. Preparing for Child Custody Battles - steps to take if you are facing a custody trial. How To Win Custody - Steps you can take to help your case. Relocating with Children - Legal considerations to keep in mind. Moving After Divorce - Understanding how children feel about and react to moving away from the other parent after divorce. Relocation and Kids - How to make it work for everybody involved. Relocation and Child Custody - Frequently asked questions. Children's Adjustment To Divorce Children and Divorce Gaining perspective on becoming a single parent. Divorce Effects on Children - Understanding how children react at each developmental stage. How Infidelity Affects Children - When an affair has led to the breakup of your marriage, it will have an affect on your children to some extent or another. Discover common reactions of children in this situation, as well as tips on how to help them handle their emotions. Talking to Kids about Divorce - When talking to your children after your divorce, you need to realize that unresolved feeling about your ex may color your conversations. Here are 7 phrases you should try to avoid saying when you talk to your kids Family Keepsakes After Divorce - What should you do with all those mementos and family keepsakes after your divorce? Even if they hold no sentimental value for you, there's a good chance they do for your kids. Helping Children Deal with Change After Divorce - Dealing with change is hard for kids. While some divorce transitions are unavoidable, these tips can help ease their impact on your kids. Divorce Lessons to Share with Your Kids - Divorce provides a lot of teachable moments you can share with your kids, with valuable lessons in resilience, handling setbacks, and more. Being Strong for Your Kids after divorce and developing the right perspective. Discussing Your Marital Status and how it will affect your kids can help them prepare for what lies ahead. Explaining Divorce To Children - The five key messages that are essential for every child to hear, understand and absorb when discussing divorce. Talking to Children About Divorce - Tips on how to open the lines of communication with your children so they can tell you how they really feel. How To Help Children of Divorce - These are seven critical messages that your children really need to hear to help them cope with your divorce. Discussing Divorce On TV - How you can use the topic of divorce on television to open up communication and dispel worries. Helping Children Cope With Divorce - Ideas on how to break the news and tips for parenting with an ex. Children's Questions About Divorce looks at the various emotions and reactions they may exhibit. Understanding Child Behavior During Divorce - What's normal and to be expected. Shared Parenting Suggestions - Ideas for making the transition between two homes easier on your children. Divorce And Teenagers -Who do they blame? How Divorce Affects Teenagers - divorce from a teen's perspective. When Your Child Chooses To Live With The Other Parent - Gaining a new perspective and doing what is best for your child. Cooperative Parenting During Divorce - why you should continue your parenting style after a separation or divorce. Adult Children After Divorce - How to handle it when they choose sides. When Your Child Divorces - Navigating the uncharted territory of changing relationships with your ex son-in-law or daughter-in-law. When Adult Children Divorce - How to help when your own children are facing the divorce dilemma. Co-Parenting Tips » Return to top Parenting After Divorce - Building a bridge with your former spouse Strategies for Talking With Your Ex - Discussions with your ex can quickly take a turn for the worse, especially if he still knows how to push your buttons. These tips can make your conversations easier, less aggravating, and more effective for both of you. Avoiding Uncooperative Co-parenting - Don't let your bad feelings about your ex affect how you react around your kids. Parenting Teenagers During Divorce - Ideas to make visitation work during the teen years. Co-parenting with a Difficult Ex - If your relationship with your ex is strained, reaching a mutual decision about the major issues in your children's lives can be challenging. Here are some ideas to help you reach the middle ground. Don't Use Your Child As a Messenger - Learn to communicate with your ex. Disneyland Dads - How to cope when your ex indulges the kids. Sharing Birthdays After Divorce - Including your ex can make the day for your child. More Co-parenting Divorce Articles ... Remarriage, Adoption, and Step Parenting Shacking Up After Divorce - What you need to consider before you move your boyfriend in. Reasons People Should Get A Prenuptial Agreement - What to think about before you get remarried. Blending Families: His Mine and Ours - Blending families after remarriage can be challenging, especially when you're expecting a new baby. The following tips can help make the transition smoother for all involved. Blended Family Adjustment - What to do when your kids are distressed. Dealing With Stepchildren when you remarry. Step Parent Adoption - Your rights, what's involved, and what to consider. When Adopted Parents Divorce - Dealing with the special issues. Divorce and Your In-laws - Getting along for the sake of the kids. Step Grandparent Interactions - Helping ease the transition into a new family. Dealing With Ex Spouses - How to handle the interactions. When Your Ex Gets A Girlfriend - Tips for dealing the with the issues and emotions when your ex starts dating again. Your Ex-husbands New Girlfriend - Clearing the air when your ex gets a significant other. Tax Issues After Divorce » Return to top Child Tax Credits After Divorce depends in part on who will be claiming the dependency exemption. Find out if you qualify for a child tax credit, child care credit, or any education tax credit. Post Divorce Taxes and Claiming the Children - Find out who gets to claim the child exemption, files as head of household, and takes the Health Savings Account tax deductions. Dependent Tax Deductions after Divorce - There are certain IRS stipulations for claiming the dependency exemption. Find out what they are and how they affect other tax credits for dependent children. Who Gets To Claim the Tax Deduction for Dependents - Answer from the legal expert. Head of Household Tax Filing Status - discusses who gets to claim this filing status after divorce. Parenting After Separation or Divorce - Learn how to adjust to the challenges of parenting all by yourself. Single Parenting Tips - ideas to make life easier for you and the kids. Talking To Your Ex - Why compliments work better than bitter words. Handling School Activities After Divorce - Tips to handle the awkwardness when you mix school functions, children and divorce. Divorce and In-laws - Getting along for the sake of the kids. Shacking Up After Divorce - What you need to consider before you move your boyfriend in. Home Alone During The Holidays - Tips to help you cope. Post Divorce Vacation Pointers - These post divorce vacation tips can help make your vacation planning a lot easier. Summer Vacation Ideas - ideas to make the lazy days of summer less stressful and fun for both you and your children. Summer Visitation Tips to make the transition easier for both you and your children. Dating Tips for the single mom ready to try love again. Search Local Babysitters Today. Holiday Survival Tips » Return to top Handling Post Divorce Holidays and making it easier for the kids. Holiday Visitation Issues - Conflicts over visitation during the holidays often come up, even for parent who have all the details spelled out in their parenting plan. Find out how to handle the situation. Divorce - Getting Along At The Holidays for the sake of your children. Managing Holiday Stress - Ideas to help contain the chaos and make life easier for your and the kids. Cheap Gift Ideas - If the budget is really tight this year, these ideas will help you save money while allowing you to still give memorable gifts. More Divorce Holiday Survival Tips... Updated: January 8, 2013 Home / Articles / Divorce Guide / State Laws / Divorce FAQs |