Negotiating child custody arrangements is the most challenging aspect of a divorce or separation for many parents. The issue is especially fraught when the child has special needs.
You need help from a legal team with experience navigating child custody for parents of special needs children. A seasoned family law attorney can focus on the aspects of co-parenting that require special attention when your child has special needs.
The Physical Environment Is Critical
Most children can adapt to their parents living in separate homes, and they adjust to the two living environments. However, depending on your child’s specific condition, the physical environment in the other parent’s household can make a huge difference to the custody arrangements.
If the child is medically fragile, proximity to hospitals and their doctors will be critical. Accessibility for a blind or mobility-impaired child is key. You and your co-parent must also frankly consider whether you are each capable of the caregiving a physically impaired child needs and make custody decisions accordingly.
The Official Code of Georgia §19-9-3 requires all custody decisions to be based on the child’s best interests. The family law attorneys at our firm are skilled at helping parents develop creative solutions that ensure the well-being of a special needs child while allowing both parents to maintain meaningful contact with them.
Helping the Child Adapt
Many children with special needs are particularly anxious about new experiences. Neurodivergent children might be especially dependent on a consistent routine, and the disruption of their parent’s separation can be challenging.
Ideally, parents will anticipate how their special needs child might respond and take proactive steps to help them cope. Informing the child’s medical and social support teams and their teachers allows those professionals to look for signs of distress and respond immediately. Starting family therapy can be helpful if you are not already working with a mental health professional.
Speak with a member of our legal team if you are having trouble finding the support you need for your special needs child. We have a network of professionals, including family therapists, education experts, doctors, and divorce coaches, who can provide the necessary guidance and support as you and your co-parent create your separate lives.
Focus on Finances
Managing a child’s special needs can be exceptionally expensive. It can be challenging to support two households on the income that used to support just one while ensuring the child’s needs are met. When a child’s disability qualifies them for public benefits, preserving those benefits must be a priority.
A parent can ask for a non-mandatory deviation from the child support formula to support a child’s exceptional health or educational needs. Our firm’s family law attorneys have the expertise to craft a persuasive request for the court to order adequate child support to ensure you can meet your child’s specific needs.
Work With a Skilled Attorney When Negotiating Custody for a Child With Special Needs
Most parents strive to do everything possible to make divorce or separation as easy as it can be for their children. When the child has special needs, that commitment is even more crucial.
Our family law attorneys understand the challenges of making custody arrangements when a child has special needs. Reach out today to schedule an intake interview with a team member.
