What are some common life changes after divorce?
Your divorce is final. You’ve made it through a very difficult time in your life, but you feel like you and your ex handled it with dignity. After all, negotiating child custody and support orders is truly important. You know that your life will change dramatically as you move forward from your divorce, but are you really aware of what changes you might see. Here are some of the most common life changes that occur after a divorce:
— Economic changes: The loss of a job or fewer hours worked can throw the best laid plans for child support or alimony into a tailspin. You may need to head back to court to see if a modification to the child support or alimony order can be made.
— Relocation: No matter how far you plan to move, the court should be advised of your new address. There may also be a requirement for visitation to be modified, whether it is by agreement or it involves litigation. What could seem to be a minor move in your eyes, could disrupt your child’s life more than you know. This is especially true if your child has to change schools. If you are moving out-of-state, you will need the court’s permission to move your child and the court will consider a number of factors. Your divorce attorney can help you present a strong case to the court so they can see that this a good move for your child and for you.
— Relationship changes: You may find that as your child gets older he or she has more in common or common interests with his or her other parent. While you may not be ready to have your child move in with his or her other parent, it could be that extended visitation with the other parent is what will work better for the child.
These are a just a few of the changes that you are likely to encounter after a divorce. If these changes are not something you feel you can cope with, you may want to consider speaking with a counselor or therapist.
Source: Huffington Post, “Life After Divorce: 6 Common Post-Divorce Life Changes,” Kyung (Kathryn) Dickerson, May 20, 2016
