The marital dissolution process can quickly take a toll on any family. However, families with children who have special needs face unique financial and emotional challenges during the divorce process. Here is a look at how such families can navigate the divorce process in Texas.
Children who have special needs include those who require extra support from parents. These include, for example, those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, addiction problems, Down syndrome and autism. They also include children who have physical disabilities, like severe or mild physical limitations, hearing loss or diabetes.
During the divorce process, the parents of such children have a couple of options. First, they may try to come to an agreement on how to handle their children’s diagnosis, treatment and care. This may lead to a more amicable divorce proceeding, which can save them money, time and energy. However, oftentimes, one parent may disagree with the other parent regarding the child’s treatment and diagnosis, and this can lead to major conflict.
If the parents of children who have special needs cannot see eye to eye on their future care, they must take the matter to a judge, who will end up deciding the final outcome for them. Unfortunately, the outcome of traditional divorce litigation may not please one or both parties. Still, a divorce attorney can help a divorcing parent who has a child with special needs to pursue his or her desired outcome either outside of court or in court, depending on the circumstances of the marital breakup in Texas.