Once you start talking to a divorce lawyer, it can be easy to get swept up in the process. Dealing with your spouse, facing concerns about assets and finances, and worrying about child custody are all crucial issues to focus on, but if you have a teenager in the house, you’ll also have to find time to talk to them about the divorce. Here are some strategies for telling your teen about your divorce and guiding them through the process.

How to Tell Your Teens About Your Divorce

Have the Talk as Early as Possible

Once you start talking to a divorce lawyer and begin the process of filing, things will move along very quickly. You don’t want your teen to find out about the divorce by overhearing a conversation or intercepting a phone call. Instead, you and your spouse should sit down with your teen and tell them about the divorce first-hand. Pick a time that will allow several days for your teen to process the news, such as at the start of a long weekend or over summer vacation. Additionally, be ready to answer any questions they may have about the divorce and the reasons behind it. Preparing answers ahead of time will help the conversation go more smoothly.

Prepare for Your Teen’s Reactions 

Think about how the emotional impact that the divorce process has had on you and imagine how hard it will be for your teen. They’re already dealing with the heightened emotions of puberty, so this news may have a heightened effect on them. Don’t be surprised if they react with anger or hostility. They’ll also be concerned about how the divorce will affect them. Ideally, normal routines and household rules should remain in effect, but let your teen know that you can talk to them further about the divorce at any time.

Moving Forward After the Divorce

Work with your spouse to help your teen maintain a normal routine. This means keeping them in the same school and encouraging them to continue pursuing sports and other extracurricular activities. As holidays and other special events roll around, your custody arrangements may require some changes. Explain these changes to your teen in advance. In general, you should limit surprises as much as possible. The more prepared your teen is for the changes caused by the divorce, the better they’ll be able to handle those situations.

Whether you need a divorce lawyer, criminal defense attorney, or someone skilled in elder law, you can rely on the comprehensive legal services offered by MacVean, Lewis, Sherwin & McDermott, P.C. With 130 years of practicing law in Middletown, NY, the firm has the skills and resources to handle any type of legal matter. To learn about their specific areas of practice, visit their website. To schedule an initial consultation with a divorce lawyer, call 845-343-3000.