Preparing Your Child for Your Divorce
Talking to your children about divorce may be the most difficult part of ending your marriage. If you’ve reached the conclusion that divorce is the best option for your future and the future of your family, you may have to deal with the difficult process of preparing your child for your divorce. No two children are alike, so each child will react differently to the changes that your family will face. However, the age of your children and other factors can help you be prepared to talk to them.
Telling Your Kids: What to Expect
Generally speaking, children are afraid that they will lose their parents if they divorce. When you tell your children that you and your spouse have decided to go your separate ways, make sure that they understand that you and your spouse will still spend time with them. Each child must understand this – explain it with your words and show them with your actions. Then, follow through with your promise. If you don’t, your children may question your honesty, reliability, and affection. However, you can maintain a stable relationship with your children if you continue to spend time with them.
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Meet Your Team
Over 100 Years of Combined Experience Handling Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, DUI, and Family Law Related Matters.
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Jason K.S. PorterFounding AttorneyRead BioJason K.S. Porter, Esquire, has earned an excellent reputation among clients and peers for his legal skills and dedication to his clients.
He has been awarded a 10.0 Superb Avvo Ratingin both personal injury and criminal defense. His high-quality professional service has been recognized by his peers with a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Rating.
These awards are testimony to his personal standard of excellence in the legal field. He has many devoted and grateful clients.
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Nicole M. CarlucciFamily Law AttorneyRead BioNicole Carlucci is an experienced and compassionate family law attorney who has practiced law and worked in legal education in Jacksonville for nearly thirty years. With a broad range of legal knowledge and experience, she focuses exclusively on family law.
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Jon LorimierMulti-Practice AttorneyRead BioMr. Lorimier has a wealth of knowledge in family law practice and is dedicated to achieving his client’s goals while simultaneously making navigating the legal process as easy as possible. Through Mr. Lorimier’s years practicing family law, he has assisted hundreds of clients with their most personal issues, balancing a firm grasp of the law and zealous advocacy with a desire to be compassionate and empathetic with his clients.
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Richard C. WatsonPersonal Injury AttorneyRead BioA lifelong resident of the Jacksonville area, Mr. Watson grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. After attending high school in Jacksonville, Mr. Watson attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. There, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Languages. Mr. Watson later attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate in 1991.
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Jeanna FieldFamily Law AttorneyRead BioJeanna Field developed her interest in law after working as a Realtor in her early twenties, where she saw firsthand how important strong legal guidance can be in people’s lives. Although she initially pursued a degree in Aviation Computer Science, she realized her passion was not in programming but in helping individuals navigate meaningful life transitions.
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Jason K.S. Porter (ES)Abogado FundadorRead Bio
Jason KS Porter, abogado, se ha ganado una excelente reputación entre clientes y colegas por sus habilidades legales y su dedicación a sus clientes.
Ha recibido la máxima calificación (10.0) en Avvo tanto en lesiones personales como en defensa penal. Su servicio profesional de alta calidad ha sido reconocido por sus colegas con la calificación AV Preeminent® de Martindale-Hubbell®.
Estos premios son testimonio de su excelencia en el ámbito jurídico. Cuenta con numerosos clientes fieles y agradecidos.
Make a Plan and Stick to It
Ideally, you and your spouse should tell your children about your divorce together. If not, make sure that you and your spouse are in agreement about what will be said to the children. If you explain the divorce in one way and your spouse explains it differently, your children may sense this division and become confused. If you and your spouse plan on talking about the divorce separately with your children, make sure that your stories are straight. If you don’t know what to say to your kids, talk to a religious advisor, counselor, or schedule a time to speak with a mental health professional. These individuals can help you prepare to speak with your children.
Every divorce is different. Although many divorces are relatively peaceful, others may be extremely volatile. If you and your spouse are in disagreement about your divorce, you will probably have separate conversations about it with your children. Try to reach an agreement about what you will say to your children. These conversations can be emotionally charged, frustrating, and stressful, but it is important that your children understand that they will not be abandoned once your marriage is officially terminated. Hearing different stories from each parent may confuse your children and will send them conflicting messages about the divorce and the way that it will affect them.
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