Austin Texas Family Law Blog

When parents are battling over how custody of a child will be shared, one or both of them may want their child to have a say in the matter -- especially if they think their child will "choose" them to be their primary caregiver. Some judges want to hear from kids who are old enough and mature enough to have their opinion heard when their parents can't reach an agreement.

However, placing a child (even a teenager) in that position can have long-term negative ramifications. Studies of adults whose parents divorced when they were children often found that those who were asked to choose wish they hadn't been. Many say they never wanted that responsibility.

Parents who are planning to divorce or recently divorced are probably in the process of figuring out how they can best accommodate their children's needs. Child custody planning can get especially tricky for people who travel a lot for work. Most parents decide to plan a custody schedule that aligns with their schedules.

Custody plans are an excellent way for children to stay connected and continue building their relationship with both of their parents. But the main question soon-to-be-divorced couples might have is whether they can take their kids out of state or out of the country.

If you're a divorced parent, it's likely that eventually you'll become part of a blended family. Your new spouse may have children. Your co-parent may have a new spouse and stepchildren. There could be a host of grandparents, aunts and uncles and other relatives in your children's lives.

If this is your first holiday season dealing with a blended family, you're probably feeling more stress than usual. You may have to navigate not only your own custody schedule, but your current spouse's schedule with their children. Even if you're a single parent, you may be impacted by the fact that your co-parent is trying to make time for their stepkids along with your own kids.

You've been divorced for a while. You've met someone you've come to really care about, and you introduce them to your children. You start slowly with short outings or a pizza-and-movie night at home. However, it soon becomes clear that your kids don't like your new partner. Maybe your daughter ignores them, and your son is openly hostile.

What should you do? You don't want to end the relationship (or have your partner end it). If you think the relationship could lead to cohabitation or marriage, you need for them to get along.