Katy Texas Divorce And Family Law Blog

Raising a child as a single parent seems like a frightening concept that will soon become reality as you go through divorce proceedings. It's understandable why you'd be afraid going into this new part of your life. You might worry about trying to balance your work life and your family life now that you don't have a spouse to share parenting duties with at home.

However, being a single parent doesn't mean you'll be an ineffective parent. Raising your kid on your own may end up teaching you and your child some new skills that could end up making both of your lives better in the long run.

Misconceptions about divorce could lead people to make errors during the divorce process or to avoid filing for divorce altogether. It is important to understand that certain myths are untrue. For example, some people may assume that if they have separate bank accounts, those accounts will be considered separate property in the divorce. However, this is usually not the case. Most assets will be considered joint property subject to equal division in Texas.

There are also myths around child custody and alimony. Many people may assume that women will get custody and will be paid spousal support. Some men might not even bother applying for custody because their expectation is that it will not be granted. In fact, changing roles in marriage means that more fathers are caregivers for their children and might even be staying home full-time while the mother is the family breadwinner. Courts use the criteria of the best interests of the child to decide who will get custody, and it could be the father.

Some Texas couples who get a divorce may do so because they no longer feel emotionally fulfilled in their marriages. Researchers who published a study in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy found that reasons that people choose to end their marriage may have shifted from those that are behavior-based, such as violence or infidelity, to those that are based in psychology.

The number one reason couples in the study cited for divorce was a lack of love. Almost half said their marriage ended for this reason. In second place was a breakdown in communication. The third most common reason for divorce was a sense that trust had been betrayed and could not be rebuilt. A lack of respect was also cited. According to some research, respect can be even more critical in a relationship than love. The fourth most common reason couples gave for their marriage's end was growing apart. Over time, some couples found that they lacked compatible goals or lifestyles.

After divorce, you may be parenting alone for the first time, which can be pretty overwhelming, especially considering your children may be exhibiting a variety of reactions to your divorce. Divorce causes many changes, and it is natural for a child to grieve the loss of way family life used to be. However, divorce does not change your ability to be a great dad.

As you set out to create a new normal for your family, consider what your children need as they cope with your divorce and what they need to thrive in general. Every child is different, but there are at least three general guidelines to consider as you jump into single parenthood.