Considerations Parents Face in Summer Divorces
Although there is no good time to begin the process of divorce when a married couple has young children, when parents decide to get divorced during the summer there are certain considerations that they will need to take into account. Below are some tips for divorcing parents to keep in mind to help keep their children feel more relaxed and secure as you and your spouse go through the process of separation and divorce during the summer vacation.
Impact On Your Children
When you break the news to your children that you and your spouse are getting a divorce, you should expect your children to have many questions. If mom and dad move apart during the summer, your kids may wonder how that will affect their summer plans and what living in two different households may be like. It may be helpful to think through the impacts that your summertime divorce will have on your children so that you will have answers prepared as their questions arise.
What Happens to Summer Plans?
If your family had summer vacation plans in place before your and your spouse’s decision to get divorced, you also need to think about how your divorce will affect your plans. Will only one parent go on that planned trip, or is the trip being canceled? In addition, you and your spouse should also work through figuring out how the two of you will share the costs of your child’s or children’s summer activities. It is important to clearly communicate decisions about summer plans and your expectations for the summer. But it is also important that your children also get a fun, meaningful school break and do not end up with a “lost” summer because mom and dad were focused on their divorce.
Let Your Kids Know Before the Start of Break
In many cases, divorce is not a decision that is made lightly. Even if the decision is ultimately made by one spouse, both partners usually see the end of their marriage coming a long way away. To ensure that your kids remain your top priority, you can take steps to reduce the blow of the news by talking to your kids prior to the end of their school year. That way, you and your children can begin discussing summer plans before their vacation starts.
Putting a Co-Parenting Plan Together
As difficult as divorce may be for you and your spouse, it is likely an even more traumatic process for your kids. So long as you and your spouse can maintain a good working relationship when it comes to your kids, you may want to sit down together to begin putting together a co-parenting plan for when you formally separate and one of you moves out of the family home. This way, you can help your kids to know what to expect when you inform them of your decision to get divorced.
Hiring an Experienced Family Law Attorney
If you have never gotten divorced with children before, you may feel lost when it comes to helping your kids navigate the process alongside you. An experienced family law attorney can provide you with useful advice and access to helpful resources to assist you with minimizing the difficulty on your children as you get divorced in the summer.
Contact a Cherry Hill Family Law Attorney for a Consultation About Child Custody in New Jersey Today
If you are thinking about filing for divorce, or if you have already started the divorce process and are dealing with another matter such as child custody, child support, or division of assets, you need to speak with a qualified attorney. Family law attorney, Lois Garber Schwartz, Esq. represents clients throughout the state, including Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Mt. Laurel, and Moorestown. She understands how challenging this time can be for you, which is why she will fight hard to protect your interests, and the interests of your loved ones, throughout the legal process. Call her at (856) 482-8799 or fill out the confidential contact form to schedule a consultation. She has an office conveniently located at 1040 Kings Hwy. N., Suite 202, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.