It’s not uncommon for Colorado parents to disagree about child-related issues after divorce. In fact, such disagreements may have been a key factor in your decision to sever your marital ties. It takes time and a lot of effort to develop a working system between households. In short, it’s not so much about obstacles arising (as they often do) as much as how you react to a problem situation.
If you and your ex can barely be in the same room without arguing, chances are you might have trouble resolving co-parenting issues. The good news is that you don’t have to handle such problems on your own. You can seek guidance and support as needed. You can also be proactive in keeping contentious conflicts at bay.
Children need both parents
Most Colorado judges would agree that children often fare best in divorce when they have the opportunity to spend ample amounts of time with both parents. Many contentious co-parent situations have to do with arguing over parent time. A willingness to cooperate and compromise can help keep stress levels low.
If you and your ex can think of yourselves as a parenting team, you may be less likely to argue over time spent with your kids. By recognizing that each of you wants to remain active in your children’s lives, you may have a better chance of avoiding confrontation.
Money matters
It’s no secret that many marriages end in divorce when spouses are unable to resolve financial disagreements. As parents, you must both provide for your children’s needs. In divorce, this often means one parent will be paying child support.
The judge overseeing your case will decide who pays child support as well as what the amount will be and how/when payments will be made. There are also services you can use online nowadays that will help you keep track of all scheduled and fulfilled payments. The more organized your records are, the less chance there is for dispute.
Personal issues
When Colorado parents divorce, it’s best if they keep adult issues between adults. If you believe your spouse is trying to use your children against you or is constantly dragging your kids into your arguments or giving them information they don’t really need to know, it can cause serious post-divorce conflict that can evolve into legal problems.
Many parents incorporate written terms into their co-parenting plans to help them avoid these types of issues. For instance, you and your spouse can sign an agreement saying you promise to discuss child-related issues in private and avoid speaking negatively about each other in front of your children.
It’s possible to co-parent peacefully
If you and your ex both have your children’s best interests in mind, it may be possible to develop a working relationship that protects parental rights and helps kids adapt to their new lifestyle. If a problem does arise, there are civil, practical ways to handle such issues, including reaching out for added guidance and support from a trusted legal professional.