A new paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) looks at the negative effects of divorce. One of these effects is not talked about much and it involves the distance between parents. Parents are no longer in the same household, and the average distance between them is 100 miles. Of course, this is not good, as this distance limits children’s access to their parents. Children tend to be relocated after a divorce, which causes a lack of stability. This is made worse by an interesting fact: divorcing families move to lower-quality neighborhoods.

Probably one of the most obvious effects of divorce is the change in finances. In fact, this is a common reason why people who are unhappy in their marriages don’t divorce. In a divorce, assets are split, and financial resources are no longer pooled. Instead of possibly two incomes being used to pay for one household, these incomes are being used to run two households. To pay for expenses, parents often work longer hours or take on second jobs.

Research shows that mothers work 8% more hours after divorce, while fathers work double that amount —16% more — after divorce. This means they are away from the house more often and see their children less often. This means children may end up in the care of someone else or even left home alone.

Other Effects

Some other interesting facts about this research involve the effect of divorce and a child’s future income and mortality rate. When parents get divorced when children are younger, those children grow up to generally have lower incomes. By age 25, someone whose parents got divorced before age 6 will have approximately $2,500 less annual income. This could be as much as a 13% reduction. If a child is older when the divorce occurs, the negative effects are not as severe. Basically, divorce at early ages means worse long-term outcomes.

Research also showed that early childhood divorce increases mortality by as much as 45%. Fortunately,  the effect diminishes with age. Experiencing a divorce at an early age also increases children’s risk of teen birth by roughly 60% and increases the risk of incarceration by 40%.

These results show that parenting is a long-term, team project. Parents make plans and establish routines that  lay the foundation for the rest of the child’s life. Divorce crumbles this foundation and while laying a new foundation is not impossible, it is often expensive.

Seek Legal Help

Having children can complicate matters pertaining to marriage and divorce. Children are greatly impacted by their parents leaving the household.

Parents often want to do what’s right for their children, and this often leads to arguments. Count on Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. to provide you with strong, effective representation when it comes to parenting and timesharing. Our lawyers are here for you and fight for your rights and your children. Call (954) 764-4330 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.

Source:

thedailyeconomy.org/article/the-economics-of-divorce-a-new-paper-examines-the-harm-to-children/

Things can get even trickier when you decide you want to end your marriage. If you and the other parent are divorcing, you may be confused about how to tell your child. You may be worried about how it will affect them.

Even for those who think their marriage is fine, this is something you need to worry about. Statistics show that divorce rate in families with a disabled child is as high as 87%.

With a special needs child, there needs to be more focus on the child’s long-term care. That will need to be addressed in the divorce. Here are some things you’ll need to think about.

Parenting Plan

A parenting plan is required for all divorces involving children. However, there are additional considerations when a child has special needs. The parenting plan should provide safety and security for the child. If you have other children, the plan needs to address their needs as well, which will be different. It may be best to have different custody schedules for each child. You will need to think about the child’s best interests. A good parenting plan benefits the child while reducing conflict between the parents.

Increased Costs

Having two households instead of one will increase costs all around. Will you be able to work and earn income, or will you have to be a full-time caregiver for your child? If you won’t be able to work, how will you provide for your child financially? Because your child will need care for likely the rest of their lives, you’ll need to look for ways to provide for them financially, such as your marital settlement agreement and estate planning.

Focus on Yourself

This is easier said than done when you’re caring for a special needs child who needs your constant attention. However, you definitely need to find time to do things for yourself as you move into the next chapter of your life.

You should not be forced to deal with a difficult marriage while you care for a special needs child. That’s just too much stress for a person. Instead, breathe a sigh of relief, find a new hobby to enjoy, and spend time with friends. When life gets too overwhelming, consider seeing a therapist to help you process your emotions.

 Seek Legal Help

Children tend to have a hard time with divorce. Things can be exponentially harder when you have a special needs child. Depending on the degree of their disability, they may not understand what is going on.

Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. understands how parents feel about their children and will work to help parents do what’s right and what’s best for their children. To schedule a consultation, call (954) 764-4330 or fill out the online form.

Source:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-better-divorce/202302/divorce-and-special-needs-children#:~:text=Divorce%20and%20Special%20Needs%20Children%201%20Parenting%20plan,costs%20…%205%20Look%20toward%20the%20future%20?msockid=1a8d0561aa86665906db1017abba676e

This is especially true for divorced parents who cannot agree on child custody and visitation. The holidays just aren’t the same when the family is split up. Both parents want their children on Christmas and other holidays, but it’s just not possible.

By making your child a priority, you can make Christmas fun and memorable for everyone. Here’s how to make things work.

Be Flexible

Christmas doesn’t have to happen on December 24 or 25. Think outside the box and make plans to celebrate on a different day. For example, you can celebrate the day your kids get out of school for winter break or postpone Christmas until New Year’s Eve. This makes things easier on your kids so that they’re not so stressed out attending so many events at once.

Focus on Positive Communication

Sure, there may still be some anger and resentment from the divorce, but the holidays are not the time to be mad and negative toward each other. Focus on being positive. Be cordial to them and never badmouth them in front of the kids. It’ll be healthier for the kids. In fact, studies show that children adjust better to divorce when their parents are more cooperative.

Help Your Child With Emotions

Don’t make your child feel guilty when they’re with the other parent. Let them know it’s OK to express emotions. Be empathetic and validate their feelings. Remember that they’re feeling pain from the divorce as well. Help them navigate their emotions and be prepared to show compassion and support as they navigate Christmas without both parents.

Start New Traditions

DIvorce changes the whole dynamic of families and holidays, which is why parents are encouraged to create new traditions after a divorce. Don’t cling to the past. Start fresh with fun activities for the kids. You can still keep some favorite traditions but don’t feel as though everything has to stay the same. Do things that your child enjoys, whether it’s visiting friends, listening to music, attending a play or concert, or enjoying a favorite meal. Check out local activities in your area. Whatever you choose, focus on making fun memories. If you don’t have the kids for Christmas, visit family and friends. Watch a movie. Enjoy a meal. Take a bath. Take care of yourself.

Seek Legal Help

The holidays may be a happy time for many families, but for some, they can be stressful and confusing. It’s not uncommon for kids to be caught in custody and visitation battles during this time of year.

Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. is here for you and will fight for your rights and your children in Florida child custody disputes. To schedule a consultation today by calling (954) 764-4330 or filling out the online form.

Source:

gottman.com/blog/co-parenting-during-the-holidays/

While 50/50 custody and split living arrangements work well for many children, not all benefit from it. The truth is that every person parents the same way. It’s clear that some parents (primarily mothers) spend much more time parenting their children than others. So when the parenting time is not equal during the marriage, why should it be equal after the couple divorces? This just sets up children for confusion. Here are some reasons why 50/50 parenting is not always the best and should not be recommended in every child custody case.

Unequal Parenting Ability

Let’s face it: not everybody has the same parenting ability. Some people are more nurturing than others. It’s not uncommon for one person to do the majority of the parenting, especially in the early years. A parent may not spend more than a few hours a week with their child as it is, so why should they get equal parenting time in a divorce?

Different Parenting Patterns

Some parents are active with their children, fully engaged in what they are doing. Then there are the passive parents, who don’t really make the effort to engage with their child. They may expect their child to just hang out with them and do what the parent wants to do. The focus should be on the quality of parenting, not the amount of time spent.

Lack of Knowledge by Courts

Judges know the law but they lack knowledge of parental personality dynamics. Parents get attached to their kids and kids get attached to their parents. If they knew more about these attachments and how they affect parenting, they may make fewer 50/50 custody determinations or be more willing to alter them when children suffer.

Logistical Challenges

The logistics of split custody arrangements can be challenging for children. Who are they going home with today? Plus, distances between households may mean long drives each way every few days. Children can feel confused and anxious. They may live in two households but feel as though they have no home.

Fairness is More for Grownups

For children, 50/50 custody may not seem fair. They may prefer to spend more time with one parent than the other. Having to split their time equally can lead to psychological problems, especially if the parents differ greatly in their parenting techniques and abilities. They may experience neglect at some points, which certainly is not fair. The fairness is meant for the grownups.

Seek Legal Help

Joint 50/50 custody is not always in a child’s best interests. Joint custody is meant to be fair for the parents, but it’s not always fair for the children.

Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can help you come up with a custody arrangement that works best for your children. Call (954) 764-4330 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.

Source:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-on-automatic/202307/8-reasons-5050-custody-arrangements-may-not-work

To make child dropoffs safer for all involved, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 385 last month. Also referred to as “Cassie Carli’s Law,” in remembrance of Carli, who disappeared in 2022 after exchanging her toddler daughter in a restaurant parking lot. Her body was found in Alabama six weeks later.

Thanks to the law, there are now designated areas, or “safe zones,” at sheriff’s offices throughout Florida. Divorced or separated parents who share custody can safely exchange their children at these locations. These safe zones have adequate lighting and purple signage or lights. There is also 24/7 recording video surveillance, with the recordings retained for at least 45 days.

While use of these safe zones is not typically required, there may be an exception if there is substantial evidence that there is a risk or an imminent threat of harm to one parent or the child during the exchange. The courts will identify high-conflict families who will need to use these safe zones for exchanges.

Many people are in favor of this law, stating that it makes child custody exchanges much safer. People do not always realize how dangerous custody exchanges can be. In Florida, there have been instances of fights and gun violence involving the parents.

Under the law, sheriff’s offices must have at least one safe zone location. However, there are currently 12; one at every substation. The safe zone can be used to not only exchange children, but also to buy or exchange products you buy online. The sheriff applauds DeSantis for creating this law.

The new law also requires parents who share custody to create a parenting plan that details how they will share the daily responsibilities of raising the child. This plan must be approved by the court.

While these safe zones are a great tool, they are not foolproof. Even though these safe zones no doubt make custody exchanges safer and easier, an abuser who truly wants to harm their ex-spouse or children will find a way to do so. Therefore, everyone should remain vigilant and trust their gut.

You should always be attuned to your surroundings when dealing with an ex-partner. While you should use all the tools available to you to help you be safer, you still have to use your own judgment. If you ever feel unsafe, do not exchange your child and instead contact the police.

Seek Legal Help

Having children means the parents have to stay involved until at least the child turns 18 years old. This can be stressful in a split or divorce, especially if abuse was a problem during the marriage.

If you are dealing with child custody disputes, seek legal help from Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. Call (954) 764-4330 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.

Source:

fox13news.com/news/new-law-creates-child-custody-exchange-safe-zones-sheriffs-offices

One type of post-divorce parenting you should know about is parallel parenting. Parallel parenting offers a clear framework where each parent is fully responsible for their children during their designated times. The on-duty parent is entirely responsible for everything, including attending extracurricular activities and arranging alternative childcare if necessary, without involving the off-duty parent.

Parallel parenting offers a more structured approach than traditional co-parenting and has become the preferred method for divorced parents to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively. It minimizes direct interaction between the parents, which reduces  conflict and allows each parent to manage their parenting duties independently. Parallel parenting  benefits everyone involved, including children, parents, and even their employers.

This is great news, as many divorced parents have seen parenting as challenging, especially when they are trying to grow their careers at the same time. In fact, parental burnout and stress affect as many as 25% of working parents.

Parallel parenting has become beneficial for working parents, providing predictability that supports their career and work-life balance in general. In many divorced couples, one parent often assumes that the other will be available to cover childcare responsibilities. This can cause disruption to the other parent’s daily life and even impact their career.

These situations become less common with parallel parenting. This method establishes a clear schedule of parenting duties, allowing both parents to navigate their post-divorce lives with more clarity and confidence. This allows an added degree of coordination and predictability with their schedules so that there is a better working relationship between employers and employees. This can significantly boost employee loyalty and productivity. From an employer’s perspective, parallel parenting can lead to more focused and reliable employees.

It is also believed that children benefit immensely from the clear, consistent routines of parallel parenting. However, in order for it to work well, parents must prioritize their children’s needs and remain open to managing conflicts. Establishing clear communication rules and regularly reviewing and adapting the parenting plan to fit the children’s needs is also crucial.

If everyone is on board with embracing the parallel parenting approach, divorced parents and children can benefit from a more harmonious environment. This means less stress for everyone, which is always great after a divorce.

Seek Legal Help

Child custody can be a challenging issue to deal with after a divorce. With cooperation and communication, parenting can be easier and children can thrive.

It’s always best when the parents can agree on parenting. Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can help you focus on the best interests of your child after a divorce. Create a plan that fits everyone’s needs. Fill out the online form or call (954) 764-4330 to schedule a consultation with our office.

Source:

forbes.com/sites/christinecarter/2024/07/24/parallel-parenting-the-key-to-boosting-career-success-post-divorce/

When these issues are prevalent in a marriage, it can be hard to escape them even after a divorce or the end of a relationship, especially if there are minor children. A person will still have contact with the parent of their child once the divorce is finalized.

A new bill in Florida could help in this regard. It would allow courts to require parents who share custody of children to make timesharing exchanges at “neutral safe exchange” locations. The bill would require law enforcement to designate at least one parking lot at a sheriff’s office or substation as a safe exchange location.

The bill is called the Cassi Carli Law. It is named after a Florida mother who went to meet the father of her child to make a timeshare exchange at the last minute. The two parents met in a restaurant parking lot to exchange the child. Carli disappeared after she was kidnapped by the child’s father. She was later found dead in Alabama.

The Senate voted 37-1 in February to approve the bill (HB 385). It unanimously passed the House in January and is ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis for approval.

Under the law, courts could order child exchanges at the neutral locations if there is a risk or an imminent threat of harm to a parent or child during the exchange. A parent seeking a domestic violence injunction against the other parent can request to use the safe exchange location. The locations would have to meet various requirements, such as providing adequate lighting and video surveillance and being accessible 24 hours a day.

Only one person disapproved of the bill. It was Sen. Lori Berman, a Democrat from Boca Raton. She said she was concerned about how the courts would interpret the bill. She felt that if there was an imminent threat of harm, there should not be an exchange at all. Or there should be a supervised exchange, but doing it in a neutral location did not seem like enough.

The law gives courts dome discretion when it comes to court-ordered parenting plans. The court is allowed to take all the factors into consideration.

Seek Legal Help

Child custody is often a contentious issue in a divorce and it can be a safety concern as well. Many couples divorce due to domestic violence and other concerns of physical harm.

If you are getting a divorce, make sure to stay safe. Seek legal help from a Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can help you deal with all the processes involved so you can divorce as quickly and easily as possible.To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call (954) 764-4330.

Source:

news.wfsu.org/state-news/2024-02-22/the-florida-legislature-has-passed-a-bill-to-protect-parents-who-share-child-custody

These can be difficult conversations, especially if the divorce was not amicable, but you do need to have custody plans in place, especially once school lets out for the summer. If you recently divorced, you may not have dealt with this situation before. The goal is to ensure that the best interests of the child are met. Ideally, they should spend equal time with both parents during the summer. However, there needs to be a lot of planning because parents have work schedules to consider. Plus, they may each have vacations planned for the kids.

Summer is just around the corner. Here are some tips to get a custody plan in place.

Start Early

Don’t wait until the day before summer vacation starts to begin planning. Start the process as early as possible so you and the other parent can go over it together. Take into account any commitments such as vacations and camps. Plus, your child may be spending time at family gatherings, playing sports, or engaging in other extracurricular activities. Be sure to consider all these activities when making the schedule.

Take the Child’s Preferences Into Account

Summer is supposed to be fun, so make sure to get an idea of what your child wants to do. See if they want to attend camp or play sports during the summer. Younger children will likely need more routine, while older children may be more independent and want to spend time with friends. Consider the activities they want to do when creating your summer schedule.

Communicate Effectively

Open communication is essential for successful co-parenting. There are many ways to communicate, so if you don’t like phone calls, for example, try meeting face to face. Emails, texts, and apps may work well also. In any case, you and the other parent need to keep each other informed about any scheduling conflicts or unexpected events that can affect the custody arrangement.

 Be Flexible

Don’t be combative toward the other parent. Remember, this is about the children. Do what you can to avoid conflict in front of your children. Put your children’s needs ahead of your own. Be willing to negotiate. Creating a summer schedule won’t be easy, so be flexible. The summer custody schedule should work well for the parents as well as the children.

Seek Legal Help

Custody plans often change over the summer, when school is out and parents take their children on vacations. Get your place together soon so you’re prepared.

Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can assist with parenting and timesharing concerns. We’ll work with you to develop effective, agreeable schedules. Fill out the online form or call (954) 764-4330 to schedule a consultation.

Source:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/legal-matters/202405/5-tips-for-putting-together-a-summer-custody-plan

Many men don’t have a good understanding of their legal rights in a divorce. They may think that the mother automatically gets custody of the children, and they just have to live with that.

This is not how the court system works at all. Before and during the divorce process, each parent has the same legal rights when it comes to child custody. Mothers and fathers are on level ground until one or the other gives up or is denied custody rights.

What this means is that there is hope for men. If you are a father who wishes to have equal parenting time with your children, you cannot give up without a fight.

You can start by working with the mother to establish a parenting plan. You can suggest joint physical custody, which means both parents would get 50/50 time with the child. You and your ex can work with a lawyer or on your own to outline the terms of agreement. If this doesn’t work, there are other options.

Petition the Court

 If you can’t come to an agreement with the other parent, ask the court to decide. It’s best to have a lawyer help you, since they can give you legal advice. They also have the knowledge and experience necessary to build and argue your case.

Document Your Involvement

Keep records of your involvement in your children’s lives, including attending school events, medical appointments, and extracurricular activities. Documenting your efforts can demonstrate your commitment to being an active parent.

Be Flexible

Be willing to be flexible and accommodate changes in schedules and routines to ensure that you can spend quality time with your children. Showing flexibility and cooperation can help foster a positive co-parenting relationship.

Focus on Quality Time 

Make the most of the time you have with your children by focusing on quality interactions and meaningful experiences. Engage in activities that they enjoy and create lasting memories together.

Understand the Costs Involved

Fighting for custody of your child may not be cheap. You may have to spend a lot of money in legal fees and court costs. Don’t let this stop you from fighting. Determine what is more important to you: your child or money.

Prioritize Your Children’s Well-Being

Above all, prioritize your children’s well-being and best interests in all decisions and actions related to parenting time. Focus on creating a loving and nurturing environment where they feel safe and supported.

Seek Legal Help

When it comes to child custody issues, many men give up too easily. They just assume the mother will automatically get custody due to court bias, but this is not true.

Men and women have an equal chance of custody. Get the help you need from Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. The best interests of the child prevail in court, so we’ll help you fight for your legal rights. To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call (954) 764-4330.

Source:

custodyxchange.com/topics/custody/family-members/shared-custody-agreements-advice-for-dads.php#:~:text=disobeying%20the%20terms.-,Option%202%3A%20Petition%20the%20court,court%20to%20modify%20the%20order

Divorce in itself is not what traumatizes children. It’s the conflict involved that causes the lasting stress and trauma. Research shows that children do better when they live in separate homes where there is peace rather than living under one roof with parents who constantly fight. When the tension is there all the time, staying together for the kids actually does not work at all. It’s better for the parents to just part ways.

When children are exposed to constant fighting by their parents, they are negatively impacted. They have more trouble sleeping as well as difficulty in school. Children of parents who are divorced but work collaboratively tend to do much better than children of parents who never divorced but have moderate conflict. Married couples need a ratio of 5 to 1 positive to negative interactions in order for their marriage to survive. When they don’t, their marriage suffers and so do the children.

However, there is still work involved. The best approach is a method called cooperative collaborative parenting, where parents can talk to each other away from kids and hash out their differences. This requires both parents to agree not to fight in front of the kids. While there might still be differences, they need to be aired out in private. But that may not work, depending on your ex’s behavior. They may be easier to deal with once living separately, or they might become more difficult.

Parallel parenting is another common parenting tactic. This is where the two houses are different but the adults respect each other. Parents have to explain to their children that different teachers at school have different expectations and guidelines, and it’s the same with their parents. In parallel parenting, parents do not attend the same functions, appointments, or child-related events. Communication in parallel parenting often occurs through email, text messages, or an app.

Ending a marriage is not easy. The transition will likely be hard for both you and your children. There will be rough days, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The end result is a better situation for everyone involved. There will be less conflict and more happiness.

 Seek Legal Help

Divorcing is stressful enough. Having kids caught in the middle can be much more challenging, but there are ways to get through this tough time.

A Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer from Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can guide you through child custody and support matters. We are here to help you understand your legal rights and fight for them so you get the best outcome possible. Schedule a consultation today by calling (954) 764-4330 or filling out the online form.

Source:

romper.com/parenting/divorce-parents-kid-effects