Los Angeles Divorce Lawyer Blog

The New York Times is reporting that sons of divorce could have a more difficult time coping than daughters.

Our Los Angeles divorce lawyers recently wrote about challenges facing adult children of divorce parents. The more common challenge, of course, is the health and welfare of young children.

We take reports like this with a grain of salt. Next month, there is likely to be a researcher somewhere who contends daughters are more likely to have a difficult time. The important message to take away from such studies is the need to prepare children for a life in which both parents live separately, lead separate lives, and often remarry.

As we reported recently on our Los Angeles Divorce Lawyer Blog, parents know, intellectually, that they are entering the life of single parents. But operating two households on the same income is like taking a 50 percent pay cut. And arguing about visitation is often pointless as the custodial parent will often look forward to the much-needed break.

An experienced Los Angeles divorce lawyer and child custody attorney will be able to assist you in avoiding many of the common pitfalls that unnecessarily delay a divorce. Conversely, he or she will be able to keep you from rushing a divorce at the expense of costly mistakes that will impact your future well-being. Child support and alimony are just two of the issues that will impact how well you are able to provide for your children going forward, whether you are on the receiving end or the paying end.

This study found that separation from a father, which happens frequently when a mother gets custodial control, could have more of an emotional impact on sons. To that end, the study collaborates what other reports have found, and that is the importance of a father figure or male role model in a child's life.

As we reported last June on our Los Angeles Divorce Lawyer Blog, we understand the importance of protecting a father's rights during a California divorce and child custody case.

The number of non-resident fathers who enjoy relationships with their children continues to rise. In 1976, just 18 percent saw their kids weekly. By 2002, that number had increased to 31 percent. Meanwhile, the number of father's who have no contact with their children continues to decline, from 37 percent to 29 percent.

A father's rights are a critical aspect of divorce. Seeking solid advice at the earliest stage of a child custody case in Los Angeles can go a long way toward protecting your rights and preserving your future relationship with your children.

Continue reading "Father's rights critical to boys' development following Los Angeles divorce" »

As Father's Day approaches, the USA Today has published an uplifting report on the relationships between fathers and their children after divorce.

The outcome of a California divorce and child custody agreement can have a lifelong impact on your relationship with your children. Seeking the advice of a qualified Los Angeles child custody attorney is critical to protecting your parental rights.

Half of all children in the United States will not live with their father for at least part of their childhood. Historically, divorce accounted for the majority of non-resident fathers. Today, more and more fathers were never married to the mother of their children. In either case, establishing parental rights is critical to building healthy, long-term relationships with your children. And non-resident fathers continue to enjoy more contact with their children. In 1976, just 18 percent saw their kids weekly. By 2002, that number had grown to 31 percent. Meanwhile, the number of dads who had not contact declined, from 37 percent to 29 percent.

While the presence of a father in the household frequently has a positive impact on the well-being of children, research that appeared last month in the Journal of Family Issues found that the quality of the relationship may be even more important. Children who reported close relationships with non-resident fathers reported higher self-esteem, lower delinquency and fewer symptoms of depression than those who live with fathers in situations where no close relationship exists.

"The point isn't what fathers do; it's whether the kid thinks or believes the father cares about them," says Philip Cowan, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California-Berkeley.

While barriers still exist, the number of parents claiming equal footing through visiting rights, joint custody and parenting plans is also on the rise. And technology, including text messaging and e-mails, has made sharing time with children easier.

As with other studies, this report clearly suggests that two loving parents who are separated can provide a better foundation for a child than unhappy parents who insist on keeping a marriage together for the sake of the children. The caveat, as always, is ensuring that you seek the legal help necessary to protect your parenting rights and your relationship with your children.

Continue reading "Los Angeles divorce doesn't mean the end of good relationships between fathers and children" »