Autumn Challenges for Separated Parents

By Sheryl Rentz on October 20, 2022

Autumn is a beautiful time of year, full of changing leaves, sweater weather, and plenty of holidays for visiting family and eating great food. However, Autumn also comes with parental challenges that can further drive a wedge between divorced or divorcing parents of young children. There are decisions to be made concerning your child’s schooling, extracurricular activities, and holiday plans, and it is unlikely that separated parents will each get exactly what they want out of this time of year with their children, so compromises will have to be made.

When parents cannot agree on how to divide this time of year on their own, sometimes it is best to get a mediator. If you’re going through a divorce and have children, you’ll need to resolve the issue of child custody and visitation in Autumn just as you would at any other time of year. This can be a complex and emotional process, so it’s vital to have an experienced divorce lawyer to help you navigate the process and protect your rights.

If you’re facing divorce and have children, hiring a divorce lawyer to help with child custody and visitation issues is a smart move. You can rest assured that your rights will be protected, and that your children will be taken care of. Call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C. at (610) 645-0100 for immediate consultation!

Child School Choice

A common outcome of many custody cases is that both parents are granted joint legal custody of the child. Legal custody and physical custody are two different things. One parent might have primary physical custody, but both parents may still share joint legal custody. This means that while the child may reside primarily with one parent, both parents still have the right to make major decisions that could affect the child’s education.

If both parents cannot agree on which school their child should attend, they may have to take legal action. A judge will preside over the case and decide based on what they believe is in the child’s best interests. Their decision could be about which specific school the child should attend, or it could simply decide which parent should be able to choose the school for their child.

Holiday Visitation

We all love Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Halloween! But the holiday season can be a challenging time for divorced parents and their children. This is supposed to be when families come together, but for separated families, it can be a time of stress and conflict. Divorced parents will each have different plans for celebrating the holidays and will want their children to be involved, but they may not be able to agree on what is fair. This can lead to arguments and conflict between the parents, which can be tough for the kids to witness.

When a decision is made, here are many factors to consider, such as which parent the children will be more comfortable with, which parent has the most flexible schedule, and which parent is most likely to provide the children with the best experience.

Holidays can be a reminder of the family’s brokenness and of the loss of the family unit. This can be tough for kids, who may feel sad, anxious, or angry during this time. However, divorced parents must try to put their differences aside and work together to make the holidays enjoyable for their children. If parents cannot agree, they may need to seek the help of a mediator or attorney.

Sports for Children of Divorce

Autumn is sports season. In most areas, soccer, football, basketball, and hockey all get going in the fall, and rambunctious kids love to be involved. When your child commits to a sport, parents are heavily involved. Parents will have to transport their children to and from practice and games and buy equipment that is required for the child to safely compete. Plus, if your child is really passionate about the sport, you may have to navigate private lessons, take your kids to watch the pros, and help them cover their room head-to-toe with memorabilia from their favorite teams or players—it can be a big commitment.

Children of divorce often face unique challenges when choosing extracurriculars and sports. While some parents can agree on a shared parenting plan that includes these activities, others may disagree due to the safety concerns of a particular sport, the travel required, or because one parent has a particular passion and strongly wants their child to follow their footsteps into something new. Sporting decisions, like all decisions, should be made with the child’s wants and needs being the top priority.

Hire Divorce Lawyer for Child Visitation Issues

If you and your spouse are considering divorce, it’s essential to hire a divorce lawyer to help mediate any child custody and holiday visitation issues. A divorce lawyer can help you come to an agreement that is in the best interests of your children and can also help you navigate the legal process of divorce.

If you have holiday visitation issues, a child custody lawyer can help you create a schedule that works for both you and your spouse and can also help you resolve any disputes that may arise. The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C. has years of experience deal with sensitive family issues and can find a solution that satisfies everyone. Contact (610) 645-0100 for a consultation.