On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
Going through a divorce is never easy. It is even more difficult when you have children. There’s so much to explain to them about the situation. You might not know how they will react or if they will have an understanding of what is happening. You need to have open, honest conversations with your children about the divorce and how custody will be handled. You need to have more than just one conversation with them too. Our Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer offers these tips for explaining new custody arrangements to your children in today’s post.
Have an Honest, Private Discussion
One of the most important things you can do in a situation such as this is to have an honest, private discussion with the children. Both parents should be present when this discussion happens so you present a unified front. The discussion should only be about the new custody arrangement that affects the family and nothing else. This should be a private discussion between both parents and the children and no other family members, friends, or neighbors.
Explain the Changes
As you sit down with your children and another parent you need to explain the changes as clearly as possible to them. You don’t want to be vague about what’s to come because this will only confuse and upset the children more than they already are. Explain to the children that they will all still be just as loved, if not more than they are loved now. Explain to them how custody will work, including what days of the week the children will spend time with each of their parents, how holidays will be handled, and how school drop off and pick up will occur.
Encourage Questions
Make sure you encourage your children to ask questions during this discussion. They likely have a lot of things running through their minds. Make sure they know that it’s perfectly normal to be confused, angry, and have questions. Encourage them to ask questions and make sure you provide them with honest answers. If you cannot answer one of their questions immediately, tell them you will find an answer and let them know.
Anticipate Range of Emotions
Much like discussing the divorce, you will need to anticipate a range of emotions when talking to your children about a new custody arrangement. They might not be too keen on the idea of splitting time between two houses. They also might not be happy with the overall situation, taking a lot of their anger out on you and the other parent. They might also blame one parent and not the other. These are all common occurrences that you must be prepared to deal with so you can handle their reactions.
Seek Legal Counsel Today
It’s best to seek legal counsel from an experienced divorce lawyer in Florida when dealing with child custody issues. Our Fort Lauderdale child custody attorney will be able to answer your questions and guide you through the legal process of creating a child custody agreement. Contact The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A. today to schedule a consultation.
