According to research from the Children’s Bureau, kids with involved and present fathers are more likely to be secure, both mentally and emotionally, have increased confidence, and have better social connections as they grow. Both fathers and children alike should have the opportunity to be a part of each other’s lives; however, that chance is not always a possibility.

Learn more about the role of a father’s rights attorney below.

What Are a Father’s Rights?

When the father of a child is married to the mother, fathers have rights and privileges when it comes to their children. However, situations where the parents of a child are not married are a bit more complicated. It is important to seek confirmed paternity so that you can participate in raising your child. When paternity is established, fathers’ rights include parenting time with children, consultation before adoption, and more. Alternatively, fathers can also waive or terminate their parental rights or object to the adoption.

There are several legal consequences of establishing paternity. For the father, when paternity is established, he is accountable for supporting the child and mother. As for the child, there are many benefits to establishing paternity. In addition to financial support, the child gains the right to inherit and receive aid and shelter from their father. Additionally, the child has the right to access the personal health information of their paternal family, and, emotionally speaking, the child has a sense of psychological relief knowing who their father is.

What is a Father’s Rights Lawyer and How Can They Help?

Establishing paternity cases are often complicated, and it is essential to seek the guidance and representation from a father’s rights or paternity attorney that will protect your rights and provide effective legal solutions. Although Utah law states that fathers and mothers will be treated equally, many cases prove that there is blatant favoritism toward mothers.

If you find yourself in this situation, a father’s rights attorney can help protect your rights and fight for fair and equitable enforcement of those rights. Paternity is one of the more serious and complex issues in family law. It is a delicate matter and should be handled with representation. A father’s rights attorney in your area with experience and knowledge will be able to help you achieve the best possible outcome. A skilled attorney will use proven tactics to fight on your behalf, giving you a better chance of winning your case.

Contact The Ault Firm

Paternity and matters relating to child custody and visitation are sensitive issues. In many cases, fathers are denied the opportunity and privilege of participating in their child’s life. If you need a father’s rights lawyer in the Salt Lake City or West Jordan areas, call the experts at The Ault Firm. Our team of professionals is experienced and knowledgeable in family law and want to protect your rights as a father. Contact The Ault Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.

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Read more below about how to be a successful co-parent when your children live miles away.

Make a Plan and Stick With It

Kids thrive when their lives are consistent and predictable. Consistency develops a predictable routine and momentum for children. Creating a visitation plan or schedule is an important first step. Early on, kids learn how to trust and distrust. By keeping visitations regular and consistent, you can nurture your relationship with your child and build the trust that comes with it. Of course, being physically present is not always possible (especially when living in a different state), so it is essential to keep an open communication line.

Use Technology to Your Benefit

With today’s technology, communicating with one another is easier than ever. It is literally at your fingertips. Depending on your agreements and arrangements, talk with your children as often as possible — do not let an opportunity pass. If your kids have a phone, text them every day or two. Send them pictures of your life or things that will make them smile. If you live away from your kids, you might find yourself working overtime to stay in their life, and technology allows you to do just that. Set time aside for phone calls, video chats, and other long-distance get-together methods and follow through every time.

The Little Things that Count

Unfortunately, living away from your kids means you will inevitably miss significant milestones or moments in their lives. This means you will need to make an extra effort for your children to feel your love. When something big happens in their lives, ask them about it. Ask them how their first day of school was, ask them to send a video of their dance recital, or ask them about their big school project. Periodically send hand-written letters or small gifts. It truly is the little things that count, especially for kids.

When you are together, make sure to take advantage of your in-person time. Learn your child’s love language and make sure to “speak” to them in their language. If they thrive on quality time spent together, put your phone and any other distractions away and focus on your kids. If they feel love through words, make sure to tell them often how you feel and other important things. If you do not know how they feel loved, ask them.

Contact The Ault Firm

Changes in life are inevitable. It is expected that you, your ex-spouse, and your children will experience significant changes in life. If you or your former spouse are unable to meet your current child custody arrangements due to life changes and are in the Salt Lake City or West Jordan, UT area, it is time to contact The Ault Firm. Our team of professionals is experienced in family law and modifying custody arrangements. If you need a knowledgeable custody modifications attorney, schedule a consultation with The Ault Firm today.

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Continue reading to learn five important things to tell your children as you discuss your divorce.

1. You Are Not to Blame

Many children find themselves feeling guilty during their parents’ divorce. Because they do not understand why their parents have split up, they tend to think the breakup is because of them or something they did. You must express to them that this is not their fault and, based on their age and what is appropriate, talk to them about why you and your spouse are ending your marriage. Your children will likely have questions, so be ready to answer them honestly. 

2. We Love You Just the Same

Some kids might think that your love for them is different because the love between you and your spouse is gone or is different. They may question how love works altogether. Ease your child’s mind by reassuring them that your love for them is the very same. This can be done verbally or in other ways, including spending extra time with them, cuddling, little written notes, or special outings or dates.

3. Your Emotions Are Valid

Your divorce is likely to bring on a wide range of emotions for your family members. Your children must understand that their feelings are normal. In addition to validating the myriad of emotions they are feeling, let them know there is not a one-size-fits-all timeline they need to follow for these emotions to stop. 

4. We Are Available and Want to Talk

The emotional and mental toll a divorce brings can be incredibly burdensome to an adult. So much so that children take notice and recluse because they don’t want to add to your stress. Do not let this happen to your kids. Let your kids know that, despite how busy or overwhelmed you are, you are available and want to talk and listen to them. Take time daily to talk to each of your children, one-on-one. Talk to them about the highlights of their day and the low parts, too

5. You Are Not Alone

Coming to terms with this “new normal” can make anyone feel lonely, and children are not exempt. It can be isolating for kids to explain their new situation to their friends. Help them feel less alone by reading stories and books about children and divorce. It can be reassuring for them to know that other kids are going through a similar situation. Support them, love them, and let their friends and extended family members show their love and support.

Contact a Salt Lake City Family Law Attorney

The experts at The Ault Firm understand the difficult time you and your family are experiencing if you are considering divorce or separation. Having a knowledgeable family law attorney represent you can lighten your load and ease your mind. Our team of professionals has years of experience in family law and can help you navigate this trying time. Contact The Ault Firm today to schedule your initial case review.

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Below are signs of effective co-parenting, indications of healthy and productive communication between you and your ex-spouse.

Your Kids Believe You Get Along

Effective co-parents’ children think that you and your ex get along famously. This does not mean it’s true; it may be true, or it may not. However, this does mean both parents show the other parent respect and communicate civilly in front of the kids. 

You Comply with Boundaries

Successful co-parents have clear boundaries that both parties respect. You each understand that you cannot control the other parent. You have set rules on what is expected, what is acceptable, and, in some cases, what is not acceptable. This may include what you two can talk about with one another, how much time you can spend together, etc. Each family will have their own set of boundaries.

No Need to Manipulate Children

In unhealthy relationships between exes, children may find themselves being pitted against one parent by the other parent. In a healthy co-parenting relationship, there are no attempts to manipulate kids and that their kid’s relationship with the other parent does not take away from your relationship. Both parents understand and celebrate the fact that there is room for both parents.

You Follow a Set Schedule

Kids thrive in predictable routines. Co-parents thrive when set schedules are followed. There are no questions or uncertainties with a predetermined schedule for the parents and, most importantly, the children. Of course, things will inevitably come up that will require a change in your plan. When this happens, communication is critical for co-parenting to be successful. Be willing to be flexible, helpful, and stick to your commitments whenever possible.

You Are Respectful of One Another’s Child Time

Another trait of a healthy co-parenting relationship is that you and your ex are respectful of each other’s time with your children. You and your ex encourage relationships with the other parent and are aware and respectful of their importance in your children’s lives. While it is hard to spend time away from your kids, you and your ex see the value in spending time and nurturing the relationship with the other parent.

Time Together is Tension-Free

When you and your ex can attend family gatherings, sporting events, performances, and school functions together without feeling tension, anxiety, or animosity, you will know you two are co-parenting well. This shows you are both putting your children’s needs before your own.

Contact The Ault Firm

The professionals at The Ault Firm understand the challenges that divorce and life after divorce bring. If you are considering divorce or need legal representation to protect your family after your divorce, call us to schedule your case review today.

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As difficult as this is to accept, your children are likely to face a downward spiral after your divorce. Heartbreak and tears are inevitable, but once you pick up on your children’s behavioral patterns and actions, you’ll be able to help them move forward.

Here are some of the negative habits your children may develop after your divorce, as well as tips to help you adjust your parenting.

Poor Performance at School

Expect your children’s grades to plummet after your divorce. Your children will be trying to understand the new family dynamic, which will distract them from their studies. The more distracted your children are, the less they are to focus on homework. Don’t penalize your kids for grieving and be lenient with them during the first few months after the divorce. 

Communicate with your kids’ teachers and let them know about the problematic situation at home. Ask the instructors if your kids can have an extension on their homework, and help your kids complete their homework as needed. Parents think their children must be sick to let them take a day off from school, but mental health is just as important as physical health. Keeping your children home from school once a month or once every two months won’t harm their performance, and they can easily make up their work.

Anger and Irritability 

If you’re experiencing a difficult time adjusting to the divorce, imagine how your children must feel. Children are bound to experience agitation, confusion, anxiety, and overall sadness during this transition. Be careful with the tone with which you speak to your children as they may be feeling hypersensitive. For example, if you notice your child hasn’t cleaned their room, avoid lecturing them, instead, help your child with their chores. Validate your children’s emotions and provide them with an outlet to release frustration. If one of your kids is a bookworm, buy them a stack of books. Is your child interested in karate? Now is the time to sign your child up for a karate class. Being understanding and prioritizing your children’s needs will help them emotionally recover.

Lack of Social Engagement

Your kids may begin to isolate themselves from their friends and classmates. There’s nothing wrong with spending time with yourself to process your feelings, but when it comes to children, social isolation may become habitual. Offer to drop your child off at their friend’s house on the weekends or after school. Encourage your children to host slumber parties and to invite their friends over. You can even ask your children’s teachers if your kids have been socializing during recess. 

If you are considering filing for divorce, you and your entire family will need to adjust to a new life. Working with an experienced divorce attorney can facilitate this complex process. Contact The Ault Firm today to work with a divorce attorney who will have your best interests in mind. 

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Here are some tips to help you be the best parent you can be during your divorce. 

Breaking the News

No matter how much you want to avoid the topic of divorce, there’s no way around it—you must eventually have a serious conversation with your children. Even if you’ve been spending a lot of time researching, there’s no easy way to have this dialogue. The best you and your spouse can do is brainstorm the way you both intend to tell your children about the divorce. Both you and your spouse must make it a point to let your children know that they are not losing both of their parents. 

Factor in the ages of your children when preparing your explanation about the divorce. If you have toddlers, mentally prepare for them to view the divorce with honest and straightforward answers to their questions. Reassure them that you both love them and will always take care of them. Help your child form close relationships with other adults who can be supportive role models. 

When it comes to young children, a more natural way to approach this conversation is to share the news as if it were a fairytale. Let your children know that sometimes, not every fairytale ends in happily ever after—and there’s nothing wrong with that. Before the divorce, take note to never say anything negative about your spouse in front of them.

Avoiding Arguments

Emotions are bound to get the best of you when you speak to your spouse during a divorce; this is normal during this exhausting time, but you and your spouse must avoid arguing in front of your children. 

Children are susceptible to thinking negatively and blaming themselves when situations go awry; frequent arguments will only make your children feel worse. If you and your spouse must speak about a contentious topic, consider dropping off your children at a relative’s house or hiring a babysitter. 

How you act around your children after divorce will impact your relationship with them. Don’t be that spiteful parent who frequently badmouths their ex-spouse. Even if you and your spouse ended the marriage on bad terms, at the end of the day, you must co-parent with your former spouse. Children don’t want to hear about how much their other parent frustrates you, so it’s best not to use your own children as a therapist. A child’s developing years shapes their adult years. Whether your former spouse is present or not, you must be mindful of the ways you interact with your children. 

Divorce Help

Divorce is a lengthy process that you shouldn’t have to go through alone. Consulting with a divorce attorney can help simplify this complex process. Contact The Ault Firm today to work with an experienced divorce attorney. 

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