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4 WAYS YOU CAN HELP YOUR TEENAGER THROUGH A DIVORCE

  • By Admin, Thursday, March 8, 2018 10:26 AM
  • 17 Sep, 2018
Attorney — Couple Having a Problem in Temple, TX
Teenagers often have the hardest time with divorce. Younger children can often learn to adapt and older children are already preparing for their adult lives, but the teenagers who sit between those two stages can be impacted the most. Here are a few ways you can help your teen deal with your divorce or separation.

1. PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS

Not all teenagers have trouble with divorce. But those who do have trouble with it will often display signs of how much the divorce is affecting them. Look for these signs:

  • Abrupt personality changes
  • Abrupt mood changes
  • Seeking solitude, specifically time away from parents or family
  • Changes in behavior
  • Changes in how they interact with people
  • Anger and confrontational attitudes

If you notice your teen showing these signs of distress, you have to show care. Teenagers are already going through changes, and you can easily confuse those natural changes for signs of a divorce affecting your teen. But divorce can also intensify behaviors your teen was already exhibiting.
Nevertheless, take note of changes. You can start to seek solutions for helping your teen deal with them, whether they're from the divorce or not.

2. TALK TO YOUR TEEN

Before the divorce, don't make it a secret. During the divorce, don't try to leave your kid in the dark about what's going on. And after the divorce, make sure your teen isn't the last to know about things that will affect them.
Talk to your teen about what's going on. Keep them in the loop. They can handle the truth. What they often cannot handle is the sudden change in the emotional atmosphere around them. Even worse, without information, they can start thinking it's their fault.
But even as you keep your kid in the loop, you need to keep your teen out of your issues. Your teen isn't a part of the problems that exist between you and your spouse. The issues you have with the other parent aren't something to burden your teen with. Don't make your issues their issues. They're already dealing with a lot of issues themselves.
And let your teen have a chance to speak. Your teen likely has things they want to say about the situation. Let them say those things. Don't silence your teen. Let them get their feelings out in the open. This will help you pinpoint where some of their anxiety comes from. After hearing them out, you will find yourself in a better position to help them.

3. KEEP TO THE ROUTINE

Strive to keep divorce from upsetting your teenager's routine or schedule. Even in situations where your teen's activity involved both parents, you and the other parent should attempt to keep it that way. Your teen still has two parents, and it's important for them to understand that.
Compromise When Necessary
Depending on the stipulations of the divorce, you may have to change the way some of your teen's routines work. Speak to your child about the changes, and try to work with the other parent to limit the amount of change.
For example, consider if one parent went out for bike rides with the child every Thursday. If that outing becomes no longer possible after the divorce, then maybe you can choose a different day for it going forward. Or the parents can alternate on who goes for those bike rides each week. The point is to try to keep things static for your teen whenever possible.

4. SEEK A SPEEDY RESOLUTION

One thing that can affect your teen a great deal is a long and drawn-out divorce. You should seek a quick resolution to your divorce to avoid such a scenario. The faster you reach the new normal, the faster everyone can adjust to it.
The law firm of James M. Whorley is here to help you get through your divorce in a speedy and efficient manner. We can help lessen the toll divorce can take on your teen by going about the process the right way. Don't let your divorce affect your relationship with your teen. Contact our law firm today.
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  • Terminology - In Texas, custody is interchangeable with the term conservatorship. While the term conservatorship is used in many other states, it is generally associated with anyone other than direct descendants. However, in Texas conservatorship includes children as well.
  • Acronyms - There are several terms in Texas child custody cases that are merely referred to by their acronyms. While these acronyms are not difficult to differentiate, having a working knowledge of them can eliminate common confusion. For example, JMC stands for Joint Managing Conservators.
  • Appointment - In Texas, in order for a custody order to legal and bona fide, it has to be processed through the courts. Though temporary guardianship can be approved through power of attorney, without an official court order, both parents have identical rights to children.


Child custody can often be one of the most contentious battles in a divorce settlement. For more information on child custody laws in Texas, call James M. Whorley at 254-742-0420.

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  • Relocation of one party to another state
  • Significant income changes
  • Concerns relating to the care and safety of minor children
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Attorney's fees are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what you will be financially responsible for. There are a variety of additional fees, fines and expenses that will come along with your defense.

The following will provide you with an idea of the kind of expenses you can expect to pay when you are convicted of a DUI. Keep in mind that exact figures are not provided because monetary amounts will vary from person to person and state to state. However, here's a general overview of what to expect.

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