Getting a Divorce Before the School Year Begins: What You Should Know?

As the summer winds down and a new school year approaches, this can be an extremely hectic time of year, from buying school supplies and filling out sports and activities forms to adjusting to a busier, more structured schedule. If you and your spouse are considering getting a divorce during this time, you may have questions about the timing of your divorce and whether it is in everyone’s best interest to try to finalize the divorce before the school year starts or wait until everyone has settled into the new school year. An experienced divorce lawyer will address all of your questions and concerns.

According to one source, divorces peak in August, making it one of the most common months of the year for couples to divorce. The beginning of the school year may seem like the worst time to proceed with a divorce, but it does not have to be. You can successfully navigate the divorce process as your children start a new school year by prioritizing co-parenting and focusing on what is best for the children.

What Factors Do I Need to Consider When Planning for a Divorce?

If you and your spouse intend to file for divorce or finalize your divorce before your children go back to school, it is important that you consider the impact this decision will have on your children. While every situation is different, juggling a divorce while also managing the logistics of a new school year can be overwhelming. Keep the following factors in mind when planning a divorce:

• Who will have custody of the children?
• Who will be responsible for making child support payments?
• Do we need a signed separation agreement before one of us can move out?
• Will the children continue to go to the same school?
• Who will be responsible for transporting the children to school and activities?
• How will parenting time be shared during holidays and summer break?

How Can My Spouse and I Successfully Co-Parent?

Whether you are in the early stages of the divorce process or you can finalize the divorce before school starts, co-parenting should be your top priority, although, for some people, this is easier said than done. However, if you and your spouse are able to set aside your differences and focus on what is best for your children, you are more likely to find a way to navigate the co-parenting process successfully. The following are effective co-parenting tips that can help you now and throughout the school year:

• Keep the lines of communication open. This can be challenging, particularly if you are in a contentious divorce. However, communication is the key to effective co-parenting, so it is important that you and your spouse find a way to discuss everything from the children’s school schedule, sports, and activities to conferences, doctor’s appointments, and parenting schedules. It is also important to discuss any children’s struggles with adjusting to the major changes associated with the new family dynamic.
• Notify your children’s teachers about the divorce. Before the school year starts, let your children’s teacher know you are going through a divorce or have recently finalized your divorce. This will allow the teachers to look for any signs that your child may be struggling or having a hard time adjusting to the divorce. If the teacher is aware of the changes in the child’s home environment, they will better understand how to help your child, particularly if they start acting out or disrupting class. If necessary, the teacher may set up a conference to discuss your child’s behavior and possible solutions.
• Establish a routine. It is ideal to get back into a normal routine before school starts. That includes maintaining a more predictable meal schedule, eating nutritious and well-balanced meals, and returning to an earlier, school-appropriate bedtime. Establishing a dependable routine can help provide some normalcy during an otherwise hectic time of year, particularly if you are going through a divorce during this time.
• Share school shopping responsibilities. In addition to sharing the financial burden of purchasing school supplies, new clothes, and sports equipment, this is a great opportunity for both of you to be involved in the back-to-school process. You can divide the list and spend quality time with your child.
• Maintain the same rules and expectations. When a couple divorces, it is not uncommon for one parent to be more lenient about rules. However, maintaining the same rules and expectations established before the divorce is in everyone’s best interest. This will help maintain a sense of normalcy when your family is going through unchartered territory.
• Give your children time to adjust to the divorce. It usually takes about a year for children to adjust to their parents’ divorce. Be patient with your children, and give them the time they need to deal with their feelings, whether they are angry, sad, confused, or a combination of those feelings. Give them the chance to voice their concerns and ask questions about the divorce and how it will impact them. If you notice a significant behavior change, like depression, isolation, or self-harm, seek professional help from a licensed therapist or family counselor.

The Freehold Divorce Lawyers at Lyons & Associates, P.C. Help Clients Navigate the Divorce Process

If you and your spouse have filed for divorce as you prepare for a new school year, it is highly recommended that you contact the Freehold divorce lawyers at Lyons & Associates, P.C. We will negotiate the best possible settlement outcome that prioritizes your children’s best interests. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 908-575-9777 or contact us online. Our offices are located in Somerville, Morristown, and Freehold, New Jersey, where we serve clients in Somerset, Woodbridge, Morristown, Parsippany, Rockaway, Short Hills, Chatham, Randolph, Madison, Morris Plains, and Monmouth County.

• Category: Divorce