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Divorce cases generally are challenging proceedings. This is the case even when divorcing spouses have a relatively civil connection with one another. When a couple faces divorce with children, a marriage dissolution case can prove particularly challenging. In this article, we visit with you about seven rules to follow to aid you in more successfully getting through your case involving divorce with children.
By paying heed to the seven rules for getting through your divorce case when you have children you ensure that the best interests of your offspring are protected. You also put yourself in a strong position to ensure that your own goals and objectives are given due consideration by your spouse, opposing counsel, and the judge presiding in your marriage dissolution case.
If It’s Not in a Court Order, It Doesn’t CountYou need to take care when going through marriage dissolution proceedings not to make assumptions, including when children are involved in the case. You cannot make assumptions about what you think you can and cannot do in regard to matters associated with your children. If something is not included within an order of the court, you cannot assume that it is permissible. Assumptions made in divorce cases that are unsupported by judicial orders can be highly problematic.
A Court Order is Not a SuggestionOn a related note, you must understand that an order of the court is not a suggestion made by a judge. Judges take a dim view of parties in divorce proceedings who skirt or do not follow orders they issue. This particularly can particularly be the case when a court order deals with issues involving children born to the parties to a divorce. For example, the penalties for disobeying or not following the directives contained in a child custody and parenting time order can be significant.
Before You do Something, Ask Yourself How You Think the Judge Will ReactIf you lack clarity on something associated with your divorce case, you really do need to avoid make assumptions (as was noted previously). The need to remain in compliance with court orders warrants being stressed. Before you do anything in regard to matters associated with your divorce case, you need to think seriously about how you think a judge will react.
The need to remain in line with orders of the court and with keeping your divorce case moving in a direction that will be beneficial to your interests underscores the need to retain legal counsel. A seasoned New Jersey divorce attorney is accessible to you to advise regarding the intent and mandates of orders issued by a judge in your divorce case.
Meticulous Records are CrucialIf your divorce case involves children, record keeping becomes even more important. You best protect your legal interests and objectives in regard to your children by keeping meticulous records regarding all issues associated with matters like child custody, child support, parenting time, and so forth.
Make Health Insurance a PriorityWhen it comes to the seven rules for getting through a divorce case that involves children, you need to make sure that health insurance remains a priority. Ensuring that health insurance will remain in place for your children is vital. This includes ensuring that the manner in which your children’s health insurance costs will be paid is set forth in the divorce decree.
Pick Your BattlesA final rule you need to bear in mind in order to get through your divorce with children as successfully as possible is to pick your battles. A cold reality about many divorce cases involving children is that spouses fight over issues that are not particularly significant in the grand scheme of things.
Ultimately, when it comes to divorce with children, an ideal situation is when the parents strive to co-parent their offspring. Divorcing and divorced parents are only able to co-parent when they are willing and able to compromise. In other words, if you really are intent on protecting and enhancing the best interests and wellbeing of your children or children, you need to pick your battles and remain open to attempting to negotiate and work through issues with the other parent. Call the Law Offices of Peter Van Aulen for a consultation at 201-845-7400.