Tucson Family Law Blog

Generally speaking, teens are going through a lot of changes. Their parents getting a divorce will likely only complicate the process of raising a teenager. However, it is critical that parents continue to take a leading role in ensuring that their teens receive the guidance and care that they need. Part of accomplishing this goal is talking to the other parent on a regular basis.

While parents may not get along themselves, they have an obligation to keep each other informed about any issues that their teen faces. It is important that any problems at school or at home are dealt with in a timely manner. Otherwise, the teen may be indirectly handed power over the parents, which can lead to further bad behavior at home or at school.

Several studies conducted during the last few years suggest that society's views about traditional gender roles are not evolving as quickly as opportunities are opening up for women in the workplace. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that 38% of the wives throughout Arizona and the rest of the country earn more than their husbands. This increases the risk of divorce significantly, according to a Harvard Professor.

The professor came to this conclusion in 2016 after studying more than 6,000 relationships. She found that the chances of an income-related separation were particularly high when husbands only worked part-time. This could be due to men feeling inadequate about not living up to their traditional family breadwinner role. A 2017 study by the Pew Research Center suggests that these feeling are shared by society as a whole. Only one in four of those responding to the Pew poll said that it was important for mothers to provide financially for their children. That figure rose to 40% when the respondents were asked about the contribution fathers should make.

While co-parenting may be seen as the ideal situation for parents and children after divorce, it may not be possible for some parents in Arizona. Some situations, such as the incarceration or abandonment of one parent, make it impossible. There are other situations that threaten the safety of the child. These include parents who are violent, inappropriately sexual, neglectful or addicted to alcohol or drugs. Co-parenting may also be impossible if one parent has taken out a restraining order on the other.

There are also situations that may not put the child in danger but that make effective communication impossible. This could include a parent who is consumed with anger at the other parent, who is mentally abusive to the other parent or who tries to use the children in a battle for control of the other parent. Some parents may have a psychological disorder. Others may try to influence the child against the other parent. A parent who moves frequently and generally leads an unstable life may make co-parenting difficult.

Those in Arizona going through a divorce may think the divorce decree is the final step in parting with their spouse. It is in a way because the marriage is dissolved with the decree, but other things must be dealt with after the divorce. Fortunately, many of these items are more of a housekeeping nature and not as emotionally taxing as the divorce process. They still need to be completed to avoid problems in the future, however.

Bank accounts and other financial accounts should be transferred per the divorce decree or settlement agreement. The ex-spouse should be removed from each account. Likewise, beneficiaries on life insurance and retirement benefits should be changed. A certified copy of the divorce decree may be needed as proof. For real estate, deeds should be executed and filed. The ex-spouse should sign the deed.