While many parents have come to realize that an amicable divorce is a more favorable approach, there are some who just cannot get along. Perhaps there has been a history of abuse, or maybe one party is set on alienating the other. Thankfully, even in such scenarios, there are strategies that parents can use to preserve and protect the best interests of their children throughout the divorce process. Learn more in the following sections, including how the assistance of a seasoned and competent divorce attorney can improve the outcome of a contentious Illinois divorce.

Focusing on the Children

Perhaps the most effective strategy that one can use to mitigate the risk of troubles in a contentious divorce is to ensure that the focus remains on the children. Do not discuss personal matters with your spouse, and do not ask about their private life. Avoid arguing about the past (as well as the future), and leave money issues to be settled in court or mediation.

Parenting a child with disabilities can be a joy, but there are numerous challenges as well. When a two-parent household becomes one because of a death, divorce, or separation, those challenges can seem overwhelming. To make matters even worse, such incidents may cause severe regression and long-lasting behavioral problems in children with disabilities. Thankfully, it may be possible to mitigate against the risks in situations like divorce. Learn more, including how a well-crafted parenting plan and the assistance of an attorney can improve the outcome of your Illinois divorce.

Challenges That Special Needs' Parents May Face in Divorce

Divorcing with a special needs' child means you not only have the typical challenges in divorce, such as determining how often the child cycles between homes and how you and your ex-spouse will communicate about matters involving your child, you also have the challenges that are specific to your child. For example, if you and your spouse have not always seen eye to eye on the types of treatments or interventions that your child needs, you might be concerned over how medical decisions will be made in the future.

Decisions regarding children in divorce and other child-related family law cases are typically based upon the best interests of the child. What exactly does this mean, though? Who gets to decide? More importantly, where do the best interests of the child and the rights of intersect? If you are facing a child-related matter, the following information can better help you understand the best interests of children, how they are decided, and what it may mean for you in the long-term.

Defining the Best Interests of Children

Although parents are, for the most part, the best source for determining what the best interests of their children are, there are circumstances in which they cannot agree on the details of their parenting plan, specifically the allocation of parental responsibilities and each parent's allotment of parenting time. In these situations, the best interests of the child will be decided by a judge. Several factors are used to help them in drawing their conclusion, including:

Breaking the news of you and your spouse's upcoming divorce to your children can be extremely difficult. Even the cleanest, most amicable divorces can have serious impacts on children. When going through a divorce with your family, how you choose to break the news and continue to discuss things with your children can have a major impact on how they cope in the future.

Most school aged children already know of divorce. They probably have friends whose parents have either gone through a divorce or whose parents are already separated. While you can expect your child to have a basic understanding of divorce, hearing that their parents are separating for the first time can be devastating. No parent wants to see their children confused or in pain, so it is important to take the time to plan ahead to share the news properly.

Plan Ahead for the Talk

The school year is in now full-swing. Most children have settled into their school routine, becoming accustomed again to regular schedules and homework. For students with divorced parents, the routine can be a little more complicated, but at this point in the year, some sort of balance has usually been established.

If you are a divorced parent, you may be unsure how to handle the inevitable parent-teacher conference, especially if the divorce was recent. You want to be involved in your child's education and realize your ex-spouse probably wants the same. Regardless of your relationship's history, there are ways for both parents to be included and to remain a part of the discussion.

Prepare Early