Divorcing When You Have a Special Needs Child

Parenting is not easy, and things are much harder when you have a child who is disabled in some way. Caring for a special needs child is different and complex in many ways.

Things can get even trickier when you decide you want to end your marriage. If you and the other parent are divorcing, you may be confused about how to tell your child. You may be worried about how it will affect them.

Even for those who think their marriage is fine, this is something you need to worry about. Statistics show that divorce rate in families with a disabled child is as high as 87%.

With a special needs child, there needs to be more focus on the child’s long-term care. That will need to be addressed in the divorce. Here are some things you’ll need to think about.

Parenting Plan

A parenting plan is required for all divorces involving children. However, there are additional considerations when a child has special needs. The parenting plan should provide safety and security for the child. If you have other children, the plan needs to address their needs as well, which will be different. It may be best to have different custody schedules for each child. You will need to think about the child’s best interests. A good parenting plan benefits the child while reducing conflict between the parents.

Increased Costs

Having two households instead of one will increase costs all around. Will you be able to work and earn income, or will you have to be a full-time caregiver for your child? If you won’t be able to work, how will you provide for your child financially? Because your child will need care for likely the rest of their lives, you’ll need to look for ways to provide for them financially, such as your marital settlement agreement and estate planning.

Focus on Yourself

This is easier said than done when you’re caring for a special needs child who needs your constant attention. However, you definitely need to find time to do things for yourself as you move into the next chapter of your life.

You should not be forced to deal with a difficult marriage while you care for a special needs child. That’s just too much stress for a person. Instead, breathe a sigh of relief, find a new hobby to enjoy, and spend time with friends. When life gets too overwhelming, consider seeing a therapist to help you process your emotions.

 Seek Legal Help

Children tend to have a hard time with divorce. Things can be exponentially harder when you have a special needs child. Depending on the degree of their disability, they may not understand what is going on.

Fort Lauderdale child custody lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. understands how parents feel about their children and will work to help parents do what’s right and what’s best for their children. To schedule a consultation, call 954-764-4330 or fill out the online form.

Source:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-better-divorce/202302/divorce-and-special-needs-children#:~:text=Divorce%20and%20Special%20Needs%20Children%201%20Parenting%20plan,costs%20…%205%20Look%20toward%20the%20future%20?msockid=1a8d0561aa86665906db1017abba676e