Custodial Parent Shares How Hard Work Made Child Custody Easier
Posted on Apr 3, 2014 12:00am PDT
As a legal process, divorce can be done quickly if there are few assets
to divide and no children. However, when minor children are involved,
divorce usually becomes more complicated as parents figure out child custody
and visitation.
One divorced woman knows firsthand just how challenging and difficult child
custody can make a parent's life. She was served with divorce papers
when she was in her 40s and her two children were just 8 and 11. Her husband
left her for a coworker who had never been married and had no children.
For much of her marriage, the woman had been a stay-at-home mother while
her husband was the sole breadwinner. Fortunately, before divorce disrupted
the family's life, she was able to start a small tree-trimming business
that allowed the family to enjoy vacations and buy boats for recreation.
When her divorce was finalized, she became the custodial parent of her
two children, a responsibility made somewhat easier by the fact that she
had already started her own business. Even so, she found that being a
solo parent was a constant challenge. She tended to her kids' emotional
needs and paid her mortgage; either task alone is a major responsibility.
Through sheer determination, the woman worked hard to provide as much as
she could for her children, although she did receive some child support
from her ex-husband. Fortunately, her hard work paid off in a variety
of ways that allowed her to finally relax and revive her personal life.
In the typical divorce involving minor children, spouses usually choose
who will be the custodial parent. Shared parenting, however, is possible
if former spouses want equal time with their children. How these issues
are decided depends on the individuals. Parents who need advice may wish
to speak with a legal professional for guidance.