Children and Divorce

If 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.

Custody Issues

How is Custody Determined? - Who gets custody of the kids in a divorce.

Child Custody discusses the various child custody arrangements available to you.

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? - This seems like the most fair custody arrangement for divorcing parents, but is it really fair to the children in all situations?

Split Custody - Split custody is when each parent has custody of at least one child. For example, brother lives with Dad and sister lives with Mom. Split child custody is often frowned upon by the courts but there are times when it makes sense. 

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.

Understanding sole custody - both physical and legal and how it's determined.

Coping as a Non-custodial Parent - How to still be a great parent.

Child Custody Jurisdiction - which state has jurisdiction over custody matters.

Changing Child Custody - What you need to consider.

When Your Child Chooses To Change Custody - Coping with the emotions.

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.

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

Long Distance and Out of State Visitation - How to set up your visitation schedule and handle travel plans.

Child Visitation Problems - What to do when your child doesn't want to go.

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 ...

Child Support  » Return to top

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.  

Child Support and Visitation - Can you deny visitation if you haven't received the child support payment?

More Child Support Articles.....

Parenting Plans  » Return to top

Parenting Plan Overview - Including a parenting plan in your divorce papers can help reduce later struggles over the children. Find out what should be included in your parenting plan.

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.

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.

Parents Conflict Affects Children What's a kid to do when parents hate each other?

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? - Without meaning to, you may be undermining your child's relationship with the other parent.

Parental Alienation - Recognizing the behavior of a child that is experiencing parental alienation.

Parental Alienation Syndrome - What happens when one parent deliberately damages, and in some cases destroys, the previously healthy loving relationship between the child and the child’s other parent.

Coping as an Alienated Parent - Keeping your sanity when your child refuses all attempts at contact is hard work, not to mention dealing with the insane system called Family Court. These tips can help you deal with the unreal world of parental alienation.

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  » Return to top

Children and Divorce Gaining perspective on becoming a single parent.

Divorce Effects on Children - Understanding how children react at each developmental stage.  

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.

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.

How To Help Children of Divorce - Tips for family and friends.

Children and Parent Separation - Adjusting to the changes.

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.

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

Cooperative Parenting During Divorce - why you should continue your parenting style after a separation or divorce.

Cooperative Parenting and Divorce - These tips can help you resolve parental conflicts and make your relationship with your ex spouse more focused on your children instead past issues and fights.

Tips For Talking To Your Ex - Learning effective communication skills concerning your children and divorce.

Talking To Your Ex - Why compliments work better than bitter words.

Green Parenting After Divorce - Things you can do to be a greener divorced parent and save on resources.

Co-parenting and Child Health Issues - How can you make sure your ex provides the proper care for your child at his house.

Avoiding Uncooperative Co-parenting - Don't let your bad feelings about your ex affect how you react around your kids.

Your Parenting Relationship With Your Ex - Get tips on making the most of your relationship with your ex while you do what's best for your child.

Divorced Parenting Tips from a family law judge to help you put everything in perspective and get along with your ex for your kids sake.

Parenting After Divorce - Building a bridge with your former spouse.

Sharing Birthdays After Divorce - Including your ex can make the day for your child.

Co-Parenting Divorce Etiquette for Special Occasions - How to handle awards ceremonies, school functions, and graduations so your child can enjoy their special day.

Child Rearing Expenses - How to handle and share the cost of raising a child.

Cost Effective Co-Parenting After Divorce - How to cut the most common costs associated with raising children after divorce.

Disneyland Dads - How to cope when your ex indulges the kids.

Parenting Teenagers During Divorce - Ideas to make visitation work during the teen years.

Keeping Rules the Same at Both Houses gives children continuity after divorce.

Sharing School Information - how to handle the school system. 

Handling School Activities After Divorce - Tips to handle the awkwardness when you mix school functions, children and divorce.

Divorce - Getting Along At The Holidays for the sake of your children.

Don't Use Your Child As a Messenger - Learn to communicate with your ex.

Shacking Up After Divorce - What you need to consider before you move your boyfriend in.

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.

Divorce and Your In-laws - Getting along for the sake of the kids.

Coping as a Non-custodial Parent - How to still be a great parent.

Remarriage, Adoption, and Step Parenting  » Return to top

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.

Step Parent Adoption - Your rights, what's involved, and what to consider.

When Adopted Parents Divorce - Dealing with the special issues.

Blended Family Adjustment - What to do when your kids are distressed.

Dealing With Stepchildren when you remarry.

Step Grandparent Interactions - Helping ease the transition into a new family.

Dealing With Ex Spouses - How to handle the interactions.

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. 

The Dependent Tax Deduction after Divorce - The rules for claiming the dependent tax deduction after divorce changed in 2008. Find out how these changes affect you.

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.

Single Parenting Tips  » Return to top

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.

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. - A service to help you find qualified people to watch your children.

Holiday Survival Tips  » Return to top

Handling Post Divorce Holidays and making it easier for the kids.

Home Alone During The Holidays - Tips to help you cope.

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.

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