How to Co-Parent Your Children When Your Divorce Is Not Final

 Posted on June 22, 2020 in Divorce

When you have children, you typically envision the life you want to give them, one full of love and happiness from both parents. Making the decision to separate or get a divorce is difficult when you have children for that very reason. Suddenly, your vision is no longer the same loving image of a happy family and that can be devastating for everyone involved. Emotions play a big role in divorce, whether you would like to admit it or not. Sometimes, those emotions can be so overwhelming that it feels as if you cannot even be in the same room with your spouse anymore. If you have children, you do not have that option, especially when you are in the process of getting the divorce and you do not yet have any final plans in place. Parenting while you go through this process can seem unmanageable at times, but an Illinois divorce attorney can help you navigate this new normal.

Request Temporary Orders

During your divorce, negotiations will take place to form final orders for things such as child support, parenting time, and decision-making responsibilities. Once your divorce is finalized, those orders will also be finalized and will become effective. Until that happens, however, you can request temporary orders from the court to be effective until more permanent ones come along. This can be immensely helpful for couples who have a great deal of conflict because it can reduce some of the uncertainty about the children’s schedule. Temporary orders for parenting time and child support can both be issued to last during the divorce.

Keep Your Children Out of Disputes

You have likely heard it before, but you will hear it again: Keep your children out of your arguments. It may seem obvious, but many parents bring their kids into their fights all of the time and do not even realize they are doing it. It could be something as simple as forcing your children to choose a parent to live with or something as blatant as asking your children who they think is right in an argument. For your children’s sake, you should keep them removed from the conflict as much as possible.

Be a Role Model For Your Children

When it comes down to it, the best thing you can do during your divorce is to show your children how to maturely and calmly handle the situation. Even if your spouse is egging you on and trying to instigate a fight in front of the kids, keep your cool and refuse to engage. Never resort to talking bad about your spouse in front of your children and always try to help your children keep their relationship alive with their other parent.

Contact a Yorkville Divorce Lawyer

Co-parenting with your spouse while you are going through a divorce can seem like a daunting task to many. At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we understand the emotional impact that a divorce can have on you and your children. Our goal is to help alleviate as much stress as possible so you can focus on being the best parent you can be. To schedule a consultation with our seasoned and dedicated Kendall County divorce attorneys, call us today at 630-409-8184.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+VI&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=8350000&SeqEnd=10200000

https://childmind.org/article/supporting-kids-during-a-divorce/