Issues To Decide In Your Divorce If You Have Kids

Going through a divorce requires more decisions when you have children together, and it is important to come up with a plan for your kids during this time. As you talk about your kids, here are five important decisions you will need to make, and it will be a lot easier to do this if you can both be civil and agreeable with each other by looking at the best interests of your kids.

Which parent they will live with

You usually have the right to divide up the kids however you want, but it is typically best if the kids live with one parent most of the time. This gives them stability and predictability, which are both important things for kids to have as they grow up. You should determine which parent would be able to provide a better and more stable household for the kids as you make this decision.

How visitations will occur

Even though the kids will live with one parent, they will go to see the other parent on a regular basis, which means you should decide how you would like visitation to work. Many couples have the kids go to the other parent's house on weekends and for extended stays in the summer, but you can choose a plan that works for you. As you make this decision, think about holidays and birthdays and come up with a plan for these dates too.

How you will make big decisions that affect them

Discussing who will make decisions for the kids and how you will make them is another good step to take. This may include decisions like where they will go to school or who will babysit them while you are working.

Who will pay for their expenses

It is important to discuss their expenses too, as kids cost a lot of money to raise. If one spouse is paying child support to the other, then this might be enough to cover the expenses. If not, create a plan as to how you will handle these expenses.

Who claims the tax exemptions for them

Finally, you should try to agree on who will claim the kids in terms of taxes. Couples often alternate this each year, or they choose one parent to have this right all the time, but the decision is up to you.

These five decisions are important to discuss in your divorce so you can both be on the same page. If you have questions or problems, contact a law firm like Scott & Scott, PC, today.


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