THE ROLE CHILDREN CAN PLAY IN DIVORCE DECISIONS

Most of us feel that children are the most important assets in our lives. They represent our love, our future, and to many of us our highest achievement. We want to protect them in all ways, and their happiness, health, and education are primary concerns. So how can children help us in make divorce decisions that relate specifically to them?

Listen to Your Children

Almost any teacher or psychologist will tell you that one of the most important things you can do with your child is to listen to them. Children can tell us what they want and need, we just need to ask and then listen to their response. Even younger children can be capable of expressing their desires. Of course, the age of the child is a deciding factor as to how much input a child can provide in court. In California, most courts accept age 14 as the age when a child can address the court (provided the court has decided it is in the child’s best interest), to express their preferences regarding custody and visitation.

Make a Parenting Plan

Making a parenting plan is a good way to make decisions relating to children. Parents work on the plan together and may want to include their children, when and if appropriate. The plan should include Legal Custody, Physical Custody and Parenting Time (time-share or visitation); It should specify if legal and physical custody is joint (both parents share responsibilities) or sole (one parent has all responsibility). Making it on your own is great if you can both agree on the issues, but if you can’t, an experienced mediator can help you resolve any disagreements about custody, child care and support, in an atmosphere that supports love and a commitment to family.

A Fair Way Mediation Can Help

Should you decide you want the help of a mediator in working out the important issues relating to your children and your divorce, A Fair Way Mediation is here to help you and your spouse reach the decisions that have your children’s best interests at heart. We act as a neutral third party in a warm and caring environment that helps spouses work towards a child custody plan that is amenable to both spouses.

To learn more about how we can help, complete our request for a free online evaluation, or to receive a free 30-minute consultation, call 619-702-9144.