When you are a divorced parent, you have to be able to communicate with your co-parent. Both of you need to be on the same page so that you can continue to raise your kids and give them a happy, healthy future. As a family law attorney, I see a lot of co-parents make simple communication mistakes that not only have the potential to damage their relationship with their kids, but also have legal ramifications, too.
The following three tips will help you and your co-parent communicate more effectively.
Treat Your Relationship with Your Co-Parent Like a Long-Term Relationship (Because It Is!)
Divorce is by no means the end of your relationship with your children’s other parent. Depending on how old your kids are, you could be in for another decade or more of parenting with your former spouse. Even after your kids turn 18, you will probably still see your co-parent occasionally. Wouldn’t it make things a lot easier if you could talk to them and plan things without and drama or conflict?
The basics of your relationship will be laid out in your parenting plan, but even when you have a schedule, things can go wrong. When you have a good relationship with your co-parent, it is easier to solve problems when they arise.
Think about the Legal and Parental Consequences of What You Say about Your Co-Parent
No one is served well when one co-parent badmouths another. Doing so can profoundly affect your children in many different ways, including psychologically and behaviorally. Of course, you only have control of your own actions, so do your best to refrain from speaking poorly of your co-parent, especially in front of your children. If you hear, from your child or someone else, that your co-parent is speaking about you in a negative way, it is best to confront the situation as soon as you can. Speak to your ex-spouse firmly yet calmly. If you need help handling the situation, contacting your family law attorney for mediation services may be your best option.
Keep a Record
It’s a good habit to keep a detailed record of your communication with your co-parent—first, because it can help keep you organized and on top of your parental responsibilities, and second, because it could protect you in the future if your ex-spouse wants to decrease child support or change your parenting agreement in another way.
There are many ways to document your communication with your co-parent, from keeping digital copies of your email and text exchanges to printing them out and filing a hard copy. Another way that is gaining popularity is by using third-party services like Family Docket, Fayr, Our Family Wizard, or Talking Parents, which automatically stores text messages and email communication between co-parents and allows both parties’ attorneys to have access.
Talk to Your Family Law Attorney
The bottom line is simple—just be as respectful as possible. If you want to discuss anything related to family law matters, get in touch with me today.
About the Author: Helena Y. Farber is an attorney in Aventura, Florida, whose practice is concentrated in the areas of divorce and family law. She can be reached at (305) 520-9205 or via email at hyf@farberlawpa.com.
Disclaimer: The attorney makes this Blog available for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.