You and your spouse plan to split up, and you already broke the news to your kids. They took it better than you expected. Yes, they did have a lot of questions, and you spent hours talking together after they found out, but it went well overall.
What does your child need most after a divorce?
Using prenups or postnups
Couples in Ohio who are planning on getting married may want to strongly consider completing a prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement. These legal documents can be helpful with communicating about issues, such as finances, that couples may be reluctant to discuss openly and that could sometimes contribute to a divorce.
Child custody when a child is born out of wedlock
It is becoming increasingly common in Ohio and in other states for children to be born to unwed parents. Across the United States, approximately 40 percent of children are born to unwed parents compared to 17 percent in 2007. In many cases, the father's name is not on the birth certificate. This can create questions for parents regarding custody issues.
Co-parenting lessons that may make post-divorce life easier
Getting a divorce in Ohio doesn't always mean an end to certain joint responsibilities, especially if children are involved. Unless there are issues with domestic violence or substance abuse, the inclination of the courts is to keep both parents involved in a child's life. For this reason, the most common piece of advice given to ex-spouses is to keep the focus on the best interests of the child. This typically means urging parents not to badmouth or belittle their ex or make children feel as if they have to take sides.
Going to court for child custody
Ohio parents who must attend child custody hearings may be confused or even intimidated by the process. That's why it's important to be well-prepared and ready to present a case to support the parent-child relationship. By understanding a few things about court hearings for custody, a parent can help to present themselves well to the judge in the case.
Get legal custody of kids already in your care
There is no doubt that the nation's opioid crisis has hit Ohio hard. As a result of a generation of young people addicted to — and in some cases, dying from — heroin and opiate-based pain pills, many grandparents have been forced into the role of full-time caregivers for their grandchildren.
