Divorce can be especially trying on those who have children with special needs due to the fact that determining the “best interests of the child” are always more complex. In many families, parents are unsure of how to address the unique needs of a child with a disability. In many cases, a child is receiving some type of support service or the parents must agree to one and this could make a case that much more complicated. Many children with developmental disabilities have challenging needs because they receive care through another source. These children may have special opportunities available to them such as educational programming, social needs and more – which gives the parents many more elements to consider.
Things to Remember
Because raising a special needs child together after divorce can be difficult, there are some tips that you should consider to make the most of the situation. Here are some considerations to make in these special sets of circumstances:
- In many cases, parents may disagree on many issues in these cases, especially when it comes to addressing the actual needs of the child and how much money will be spent on this. Some parents may have a skewed version of the severity of their child’s needs and this can pose an issue. This is why it is important to speak to an attorney who is well-versed in these matters.
- Parents must determine whether or not their child is likely to need support beyond completion of high school or past the age of 18. This could come into play when parents are discussing child support, so it is an important matter to discuss.
- It is important to consider normalcy and routine in the child’s life when considering what their schedule will look like. It is okay to want to give a parent a break and let another take over, but it is also important to consider other aspects, such as the child being around other siblings and more.
- Consider the fact that, if you choose to relocate, this could pose issues as well. Some children are unable to travel unaccompanied by another adult, which means that you may have to support this situation and choice.
Parents of special needs children actually have a higher divorce rate than the rest of the population. This is why it is important to discuss very realistic issues that may come into play in your case. Call us today for more information on how we can help you.
