When you decide that your marriage has reached its end, there are numerous factors you may have to consider. Many times, divorce is a lot more than signing your name on a piece of paper and moving on with your life. There’s asset division, spousal support, and most importantly, what to do about your children. Your divorce will impact everyone in your life, especially your children. A Springfield divorce lawyer can help you figure out the right way to prioritize them.

It’s normal to feel like your world is spiraling out of control as you navigate the divorce process. What matters is how you choose to deal with that, especially when you have children. Getting divorced may be like nothing you’ve been through before, and it’s understandable to be unsure of how to deal with it. You may want to consider reordering your priorities away from the details of the divorce, which your lawyer can focus on, and towards building a future for your kids.

Why Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

Getting divorced may not be easy. Depending on the details of your case, you may be dealing with an overall contentious situation and a messy custody battle. You will want the right kind of help throughout this process. You should consider reaching out to the multi-state legal team at Stange Law Firm. 

Our firm has offices across the country, and we’ve helped countless clients succeed in their own divorce cases. We can provide you with a personalized and honest approach.

It’s important to remember that you are not the only person who has ever gotten divorced in Missouri. According to statistical information gathered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the rate of divorce in Missouri is actually quite high at 2.7 per 1,000 residents as of 2022. Additionally, the rate of marriage in the state is around 5.8 per 1,000 residents as of 2023, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. It’s not uncommon.

Having to juggle a divorce and newfound single-parent responsibilities can be a lot for one person to handle alone. Thankfully, you don’t have to deal with it alone. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help and making sure everything is taken care of. 

You may want to consider reaching out to a local divorce support group like DivorceCare or Divorce Recovery for help. Talking to people who are going through similar situations can be beneficial to your mental health.

Helping Your Children Through Divorce

Helping your children accept a new normal and move forward without both parents in the same house can be tough to accomplish. It’s important that you don’t try to replace their other parent or attempt to alienate your kids from that parent. Otherwise, you could risk your custody agreement changing in their favor. 

You want to make sure you are consistent, reliable, trustworthy, and honest with your kids. Here are some tips on how to help your kids through divorce:

  • Do what you can to avoid dragging your kids into the conflict between you and the other parent. There’s a strong chance the divorce was contentious, and custody was hard to fight for. After all, no strong marriages end in divorce. Don’t let any lingering resentment affect your relationship with your kids. Your kids may have sensed the growing tension for months, but had no way to address it with you.
  • The most important thing you can do is build trust with your kids. Even though you are still their parent and nothing’s changed on that front, divorce can change the way your kids perceive you. They may blame you for the changes, as kids can go through a surprising range of emotions during a transitional time like this. Assure them that you still love them and you are there to answer any questions. They will need reassurance.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Most Effective Custody Arrangement?

A: There is no way to tell what the most effective custody arrangement is. Everybody’s custody situation is different, and each custody arrangement may be considerably effective for the co-parents who need a specific kind of help. There’s no guarantee that what works for one family will work for another. Generally, the family court likes to push for joint custody, as it ensures both parents are accepting equal responsibility for parenting.

Q: When Can I Start Dating Again?

A: It’s difficult to determine, as everyone’s healing journey post-divorce is different. You may want to get right back into the dating scene as soon as the divorce clears. On the other hand, you may be so hurt that dating seems impossible for quite some time. Ultimately, it’s your choice to make. However, you should consider how your kids feel about potentially bringing someone new into their lives. That can be a tough conversation to have, especially with older kids.

Q: Can Mediation Be an Effective Solution?

A: Yes, it’s entirely possible that mediation can be an effective solution to your divorce. Sitting down with a neutral third party to discuss grievances, asset division, and custody arrangements can be a solid, reliable way to reach a mutually beneficial conclusion. However, there are never any guarantees that mediation will solve these issues. If your spouse continues to be spiteful and uncooperative, it’s doubtful you’ll reach any worthwhile conclusions.

Q: Could I Lose Custody of My Children?

A: Unfortunately, there is always the possibility that your ex could pursue full custody and win. That’s one of the major reasons why you hire a divorce lawyer. They can help you develop a strong case for full custody. If you have no history of abuse, neglect, drug problems, or criminal behavior, you really shouldn’t have anything to worry about. If your spouse is vindictive, though, you may want to prepare for a fight anyway.

Contact a Lawyer Today

The legal team at Stange Law Firm understands how high the stakes may be for you when your kids are involved. We can help you figure out what to say to them and provide you with a case if your ex tries to pursue full custody. Contact us to speak to a valued member of our team about the many ways we can assist you in your case.