Family Lawyer in Edmonton | Divorce When Children Are Involved
There are many things that couples who are divorcing need to take into consideration says family lawyer in Edmonton. However, these considerations need to change when there are children involved in the marriage. The reason why, is because even though a couple needs to negotiate the same terms of their divorce, they now have an added duty of figuring out to the child support and child custody agreements that they will use and their divorce or separation. This means, that the couple is going to need to put the welfare of their children ahead of anything else, and come up with an outcome that is in the children’s best interest. Since 40% of all Canadian marriages will end in divorce, and 25% of all divorces are going to involve minor children, many people are going to have to negotiate the child custody and child support of their children during their divorce.
One of the very first things that people needs to keep in mind, is that the child custody and child support are going to be two separate things that needs to be dealt with individually. family lawyer in Edmonton says the reason why is because child custody is going to advise what child support is used. Therefore, a couple must figure out the custody Arrangements first, and that will specify what the child support they are going to pay is.
The second thing that people need to keep in mind during their divorce or separation, is if the children are actually considered dependant. family lawyer in Edmonton says that quite often, people make the assumption that as long as the child is over the age of majority, they are no longer dependant. However, this is inaccurate. While it’s true that children must be under the age of majority in the province in which they live. Parents also need to take into consideration that if their child is going to post-secondary, or if they are injured, disabled or have an illness that prevents them from caring for themselves. These children will also be considered dependant, and how long they are considered dependant must be taken into consideration when dealing with child custody Issues.
When parents are figuring out the child custody and child support, they should be putting their Children’s Welfare ahead of all other decisions. That doesn’t just mean figuring out where the child is going to live. But family lawyer in Edmonton says this means that every decision that a parent makes, will make with their children’s best interests at heart. This means minding the bickering and front of the children, and working to ensure that to the child’s best interests are met.
When two parents work together to ensure that the welfare of their children are taken care of above their own, they will ensure that they are going to end up with the best outcome for their children. family lawyer in Edmonton says that it may be very difficult, but the well-being of the children is at stake, and if people keep this in mind, they will be able to ensure that they have a great foundation for their children.
Family Lawyer in Edmonton | Divorce When There Are Kids Involved
After a couple decides on the child custody that they are going to adhere to, family lawyer in Edmonton says the next thing that they can do is figure out to the child support payments that they are going to make. Unfortunately, if a couple decides to have sole custody on one parent, they will not have the option of choosing what kind of Child Support Arrangements they are going to have. If there is sole custody, the couple must adhere to the federal guidelines for child support payments.
However, it is becoming far more commonplace especially in the last 15 to 20 years that’s couples are sharing custody, often called joint custody or shared custody. family lawyer in Edmonton says that this is much more common place, and if a couple is sharing custody, either through a 50 50% split, or a 40 and a 60% splits, they may be able to override to the federal guidelines for child support. The reason why is because if the parents are sharing the living expenses, the basic child support is designed to help offset that cost. If they are both sharing the cost, then it’s not going to makes sense for one parent to pay child support.
One thing that parents do need to keep into consideration when they are arranging their child support payments, is that if there is any special expenses, that is something separate then basic child support. family lawyer in Edmonton says this special expenses can also be called section 7 expenses. And these can be put in place if there are extraordinary circumstances that a child need something additional to be paid for. Such as extracurricular activities like a sporting team, or if a child has medical costs such as medication, hospital visits or even something like braces. Academic studies and special schooling could also be an additional cost that would end up being assessed in the special expenses.
Ultimately, child support is there to help offset the cost of raising a child. Both parents are financially obligated to pay for their child says family lawyer in Edmonton. Therefore, it’s important that they both chip in this cost. If one parent has sole custody, the federal guidelines will look at each parents income, the number of children in the relationship and then come up with the child support requirements. While there is no agreements to put into place with this, the type of custody Arrangements will end up dictating weather a couple needs to adhere to the federal guidelines for child support.
When a couple works together to ensure that the welfare of their children are looked after even in the middle of divorce, they will truly be doing the best for their children. This may be very difficult, but as long as the couple is dedicated to The welfare of their children, it is possible.