Divorce proceedings can take a toll on both spouses, but sometimes it's their children that get the brunt of the stress. A new study published in the Journal of Research on Adolescence in December 2011 revealed that when parents argue over money, their kids are likely to be depressed and develop "problem behaviors," according to Business Insider.
It is possible for parents that are struggling with their finances to protect their children from added grief. In the article, California divorce attorney Joann Babiak laid out a few methods parents can use to help alleviate the stress of a legal dispute on kids.
♦ Argue in private. Babiak said that from her experience, when the children can hear or see their parents fight, they experience their own angst. When adults bicker, even the best moms and dads may quickly forget that their heated words can have a huge impact on the young ones that hear them, she explained.
♦ Don't put the children in the middle of the problem. "I've seen a lot of instances where the child wanted something and the parent would say, 'No, you can't have that because your mother's not paying child support,'" Babiak said for the story. "Does that impact the relationship between both parents regardless of who's paying? You'd better believe it does."
♦ Take advantage of time together. Babiak explained that she often sees California parents hire a babysitter during their allotted custodial visits so that they can work. She suggested that parents get their kids out of the house and enjoy the time they have together, as not doing so typically makes the conflict worse.
Californians going through a divorce should work with an experienced family attorney that may be able to smooth out the entire process for all involved parties. If they don't have a lawyer or the one they have isn't adequate, it may be in their best interest to consult a lawyer referral service that can help them find expert legal mediation.
Attorney Search Network is a California state bar certified legal referral service that helps clients find an attorney for nearly any type of case, whether they require a family lawyer, bankruptcy attorney, estate planning attorney or criminal lawyer.
