It used to be said that children were resilient, and they could recover easily from divorce. We now know this is not true. Recent studies suggest that children may experience a host of problems both during and after divorce, from emotional, behavioral and mental health problems, to maladjustment and developmental issues. Thankfully, parents can mitigate against such problems. The following information explains how.

Strive for a Child-Centered Divorce

A divorce can be a complicated and arduous process because there are numerous potential pitfalls and challenges – and money is often the most significant concern. However, many parties overlook important financial planning details when they first file for divorce. The result of this oversight can range from a minor loss of some funds, to complete financial devastation. Learn how to mitigate against the potential money issues in your Illinois divorce with effective financial planning, and discover how an experienced divorce lawyer can help.

Start Your Post-Divorce Budget Now

In a marriage, the paternity of a child is automatically established. However, this is not the case when the biological parents are unmarried. Instead, the father is deemed an “alleged father” until he and the mother either acknowledge paternity or receive confirmation of paternity through the courts or Illinois’ Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS). Learn more about establishing paternity in Illinois, including how it can be done and why you should get it done, and see why the assistance of an experienced family law attorney should be obtained.

Why Establish Paternity?

When parents file for divorce, they are required to complete a parenting plan document which outlines their wishes on parenting time and the allocation of parental responsibilities. Of course, since every family is unique, each parenting plan is (and should be) different. However, these variances in needs, desires, and circumstances can make what sounds like a straightforward process rather complicated. Learn how to make the most of your parenting plan by adopting some creative parenting plan solutions that may address your family’s unique needs.

Consider Your Child’s Age

When your marriage is failing, and you know divorce is the next step, you may stop to consider how your children will respond. If you determine that they simply cannot handle growing up in a broken home – perhaps because of a disability, a sensitive demeanor, or a rough upbringing – you may be tempted to put off the inevitable. Are you really doing your children a favor though, or are you doing more harm than good? The answer may rest in the underlying issues of your marriage. Learn more with help from the following information.

Domestic Violence and Children