Dealing with the emotional ramifications of divorce is even tougher when children are involved. There comes a time in every parent's life when they consider allowing the child to live with the other parent for the time being. That could be a big mistake, though. Read below to learn more about how to avoid the implication of child abandonment.
The Best Interests of the Child
When you become a parent, it's not about you anymore. This is never more important to keep in mind than during divorce. You can never be certain how your spouse may react to the custody issue and leaving your child with the other parent could end up creating a lot of heartaches later. Even if it's more convenient for you to leave your child or you believe your spouse would never seek legal custody, think twice.
The Family Home and Its Security
Time and again, family court judges take the above credo to heart and try to do the right thing for minor-aged children. One example has to do with the parent who remains in the family home. This place is familiar to the child — the same friends, same neighbors, same school, etc. From the child's point of view, the home they're used to represents security and sameness. At a time of upheaval, family court judges see the value of a child being able to remain in the family home as being in their best interest. If you leave the family home, the judge may disagree with your actions.
It's interesting to note that some parents agree to both remain in the same home for a time during separation and divorce. They move to separate bedrooms and try to get along for the sake of the children, even if they are legally-divorced. Financial considerations are often at play but this can help ease the transition for younger children.
When You Have No Choice
Unfortunately, some parents are forced to leave the home and their children behind. If this happens to you, take action quickly to mitigate the impact of your actions. Speak to a divorce lawyer about your situation and ask for an emergency hearing to address custody issues. Being the first to file may have its advantages and you may have convincing reasons why you should be awarded temporary custody of the child during separation. As a side note, you can also ask for use of the family home in a hearing. To find out more about this emotional issue, speak to a divorce attorney.
For more information about family law, speak to a family law attorney.
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