The single most important issue facing divorcing parents is figuring out how to continue to be effective and cooperative parents through and after a divorce. Yes, things will be different. The divorce process is difficult enough on children without anyone making things even more difficult on the children. Often, children have witnessed their parents fighting and making statements to or about the other parent that children should not hear.
Parents should avoid engaging in such conduct in front of children. Divorce is difficult enough on everyone already. Try not to put children in the middle or influence them to do or not to do anything other than to respect their mother or father. Failing to do this can result in significant emotional harm to your children. They have enough on their plate already.
One of the main questions I get from parents going through a divorce is, “Who will the children live with?” Texas law favors the parent that has been the primary care giver for the children as the parent that will determine their primary residence. This is not a question of which parent makes the most money, but a question of which parent is there the majority of the time to tend to the children’s needs. There are many factors that the Texas Family Code sets out that give court’s guidance in making that decision, although the factors set forth are not all inclusive and many issues will determine the parent that has been the primary caretaker.
Texas court’s expect parents to work together, even through a divorce, in raising and making important decisions regarding their children. Depending on the conduct of the parent that fails to do so the court can require parenting classes, possibly restricting the offending parents possession of and access to the children, or even requiring the offending parents tomes of possession of and access to the children supervised. Please make sure you always act in a manner that is appropriate for the children’s well being.
If you are contemplating a divorce, want to start the divorce process, or you have been served with divorce papers, contact experienced family law attorney Leonard R. Morgan at (512) 868-0150 immediately.