Divorce With Kids: Everything You Need To Know

Christy Bieber has a JD from UCLA School of Law and began her career as a college instructor and textbook author. She has been writing full time for over a decade with a focus on making financial and legal topics understandable and fun. Her work has.

Christy Bieber, J.D. Contributor

Christy Bieber has a JD from UCLA School of Law and began her career as a college instructor and textbook author. She has been writing full time for over a decade with a focus on making financial and legal topics understandable and fun. Her work has.

Written By Christy Bieber, J.D. Contributor

Christy Bieber has a JD from UCLA School of Law and began her career as a college instructor and textbook author. She has been writing full time for over a decade with a focus on making financial and legal topics understandable and fun. Her work has.

Christy Bieber, J.D. Contributor

Christy Bieber has a JD from UCLA School of Law and began her career as a college instructor and textbook author. She has been writing full time for over a decade with a focus on making financial and legal topics understandable and fun. Her work has.

Contributor

Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida. After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Co.

Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida. After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Co.

Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida. After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Co.

Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida. After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Co.

Updated: Dec 15, 2022, 4:56am

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Divorce With Kids: Everything You Need To Know

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Table of Contents

Ending your marriage usually creates financial, emotional and legal challenges. That is especially true when children are involved.

During a divorce with kids, you need to navigate issues related to custody and child support while making sure to always act in your children’s best interests.

This guide to divorce with kids helps you better understand what to expect so you make smart choices that protect your children’s future while ending your marriage and moving forward with your own life.

How Does the Process of Divorce With Kids Work?

If you are considering getting a divorce with kids, you need to understand the steps that are involved in this process. Here’s what you can expect to happen as you try to end your marriage.

Filing for Divorce

Filing a petition for divorce is the first key step that starts off the process of dissolving your marriage.

In some states, you must be separated for a period of time before you can move forward with divorce but this is not the case everywhere so be sure you understand your state’s requirements before you file.

You usually file for divorce in a court in the county where you and/or your spouse currently resides. States also have residency requirements, so be sure you have lived locally long enough before submitting your court forms.

The exact forms you file depend on the state you live and file in. In general, however, more documentation is required when you file for divorce with minor children than if you are filing to end a marriage in which no children were produced. For example, you may need to submit forms related to parenting plans and child support.

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Contributor

Christy Bieber has a JD from UCLA School of Law and began her career as a college instructor and textbook author. She has been writing full time for over a decade with a focus on making financial and legal topics understandable and fun. Her work has appeared on Forbes, CNN Underscored Money, Investopedia, Credit Karma, The Balance, USA Today, and Yahoo Finance, among others.

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