One of the things that can make divorce so complicated is that each case is different. When there is a child with special needs involved, both parents need to be prepared to be more involved and develop a more customized plan than with most divorce outcomes. Divorce in Florida with a special needs child requires that the parents be collaborative in their approach to maximize the child’s well-being.
Working together for the child
The age of the child matters a lot for divorce proceedings. For example, the child might be born after the divorce is finalized, or they might be well into their teens or later, leaving a huge span of potential needs and support requirements for them. The various stages of life will require the presence and input of both parents, especially the first two years. Later stages will entail the complexities of school, transportation, working with teachers and admin, and potentially therapy and medical support.
It can become challenging when the child starts to resist custodial or time-sharing agreements, or one or both parents have trouble separating their failed relationship as spouses with their individual relationship with their child. But managing these issues is crucial for a healthy and happy childhood.
Parents of a child with special needs need to understand that the child’s health and happiness have to come first, and their post-divorce plan will revolve around making sure that the child is on the right path to get what they need on an ongoing basis. It’s not a scenario that can use the basic template for ordinary divorce proceedings because the time-sharing, education, and financial pictures are often diverse.
