Custody and child support are par for the course in divorce settlements, but what about your child’s education? Whether your kids are in grade school, public school, private school, or college, there are plenty of issues that need to be sorted out in your divorce decree so your child is never left hanging, at school or at home (and so their teachers aren’t confused either).
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Make Your Child’s Education a Priority in Your Michigan Divorce
The child’s custodial parent and primary residence will determine where the child attends school, but there are plenty of other questions that will need to be answered. If both parents have legal custody, school matters can become more complicated, especially if one party is attempting to cause problems by being difficult about education decisions.
Ideally, school matters are established within the context of your divorce negotiations and settlement. Assign rules and responsibilities as soon as possible so no details fall through the cracks where your children are concerned. If your divorce decree says that one parent can’t make decisions without the written consent of the other parent, your child’s school needs to know this.
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Matters to decide and agree upon:
- Where will the child be enrolled?
- Who is paying for tuition, clothes, activity fees, lunches, school supplies, and more?
- Who will attend parent-teacher conferences?
- Who has access to school records?
- Who is permitted to do school drop-off and pick-up? (In some divorces, the non-custodial parent may not have the authority to take their child out of school, particularly if kidnapping or abuse is a concern – and your Michigan school and all teachers and administrators need to be made aware of this condition.)
- Who is your child’s designated emergency contact?
- Is one parent living out of state?
- Which parent’s home is the most beneficial for the child school-wise?
Divorce is confusing and overwhelming for all involved. Kids can feel it just as much as adults, no matter how much you try to shield them from it. Informing your child’s school, teacher, and administrative staff about the new circumstances of daily life is essential. Your child may need a little more patience from educators as they sort through their new existence with divorced parents, and you may need some room to make mistakes as you manage your new life as a single parent.
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What’s Mine Is Mine (and Our Kid’s)
Make sure that your child’s school is aware that you are the parent and not the messenger for your ex. Maybe you were the one who kept everything in check where the kids were concerned when you were married, and you’re probably still doing the same now, but it’s no longer your job to inform your ex about your child’s school life. When there is a divorce, the smart move is for the divorce settlement to explicitly state that both parents are responsible for obtaining information from the school.
The right kind of Michigan divorce attorney will ensure that your custody agreement addresses all relevant education issues, no matter their size or significance. Schedule your no-cost consultation with Michigan Divorce Help in Macomb, MI. For the sake of your kids, make an effort to make life easier with your ex. Visit our video journal and blog posts to answer your most common questions about divorce.