Visitation Tips for Recently Divorced Parents

Every divorce is unique, and every divorced couple has its own set of circumstances, making generic advice often unhelpful. Nevertheless, at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, our attorneys believe that certain tips and guidance can benefit most parents who have recently gone through a divorce. In this article, we’ll share valuable insights on post-divorce child visitation.

Child Visitation After Divorce Can Be Challenging

After retaining attorneys, investing time and money, and finalizing the divorce process with a signed court order, the divorce is officially complete. Parents have divided assets, set living arrangements, and now must adjust to their new reality.

Arrangements can be challenging for both parents and children as they signify a significant change. The transition from a single home to splitting time between two households, as ordered by the court, can feel unnatural and uncomfortable for all parties, regardless of their age.

Numerous resources, including books, papers, and blog posts, offer guidance on how to manage this transition when a child goes from having one home to suddenly having two.

Putting Children’s Interests First

How can parents create an environment where children feel comfortable and happy while maintaining civil and respectful interactions, despite having recently concluded a legal battle?

First and foremost, our Houston divorce attorneys advise clients to prioritize their child’s needs for love and proper adjustment. While most clients genuinely act out of love for their child, some may lose sight of their true goals in divorce, turning it into a means of settling scores or righting perceived wrongs against their ex-spouse.

Regardless of the outcome, once the dust settles, the child faces the most significant adjustment due to the changes their parents have made. Recognizing the child’s best interests means accepting that they now have two homes. It’s not about valuing one home more than the other; it’s about equally valuing both parental relationships with the child.

Facilitating the child’s connection with both parents is crucial immediately after finalizing the divorce. Depending on the child’s age, it may be beneficial for parents to individually communicate with them about family, togetherness, and their importance to both parents.

Not only does this reestablish the vital parent-child bond, but it also demonstrates that, despite no longer living together, Mom and Dad can still collaborate on matters concerning their child.

Avoid Using Children as Messengers

Another pitfall to avoid is using the child as a messenger to pass information between parents. In today’s digital age, there are numerous alternatives, such as email, text messaging, online co-parenting platforms, and widespread cell phone use.

Enlisting a child in adult discussions, especially those involving their own lives, is unnecessary and can disrupt their innocence. Allowing children to maintain a degree of innocence in their early years is generally beneficial, as they have a lifetime ahead to take on adult responsibilities.

Moreover, judges strongly disapprove of using children as intermediaries. If you ever need to appear before a judge again, and they discover that the child was involved in such communication, it could lead to complications.

While decisions should not solely revolve around potential judicial opinions, doing the right thing and avoiding legal issues down the road is a prudent choice.

Effective Co-Parenting and Communication

Alongside refraining from using children as messengers, divorced parents must communicate directly with each other regularly. The term “co-parenting” may be overused, but it remains a crucial concept.

Changes in schedules happen frequently, and if these changes affect visitation plans, parents should discuss them directly, rather than involving the child. Effective communication skills require practice, especially in divorced situations where repairing the parent-child relationship may be necessary post-divorce.

In conclusion, recognizing that visitation with both parents benefits the child is the first step in helping everyone adjust to post-divorce life. When parents show respect for one another, the chances of the child adapting to their new living situation increase significantly.

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Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC | Spring Divorce Lawyer

The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding divorce, it’s important to speak with ar Spring, TX Divorce Lawyer right away to protect your rights.

A divorce lawyer in Spring TX is skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling (281) 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC handles Divorce cases in Spring, Texas, Cypress, Spring, Klein, Humble, Kingwood, Tomball, The Woodlands, the FM 1960 area, or surrounding areas, including Harris County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, Chambers County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County and Waller County.

Bryan Joseph Fagan( Attorney )

Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.

Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.

His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.

Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.