How to Make Your Home More Kid-Friendly When Approaching a Divorce in California
After a divorce, at least one parent needs to move out of the family home. This can be a bit of a hassle, especially with the rising cost of living in the Golden State. It may also cause issues for your custody battle since the most obvious option is to keep children in the family home to provide a sense of stability and familiarity. For parents who have to move out, this may put them at a disadvantage when fighting for custody. But if you make your new home more kid-friendly, you can approach your custody negotiations with confidence. If you can show that your new home is a more stable, healthy environment for your children, you might even gain the upper hand.
Talk to Your Child
The first and most obvious step is to speak with your child about what they need and want from their second home. What would their ideal bedroom look like? What kind of games and furniture do they want? What kind of limitations do they currently experience in their family home, and how can you improve with your second home? While some kids might be too young to help you plan, others will have the mental maturity to provide you with real guidance.
Add Familiar Items
One of the best ways to make your new home more suitable is to add familiar items. Speak with your ex and ask if you can take certain items from the family home. You can even fight for certain furniture during the property division process. Having a familiar chest of drawers or a video game console can make your second home feel much less foreign, and it can certainly help your child get used to the idea of splitting time between two houses.
Add a Quiet Study Area
One thing that family courts in California carefully consider is whether a child can pursue their academic studies in their home environment. If a home is too distracting, your child’s grades may suffer. This is why it’s important to set aside a space for quiet study. Get a desk for your child and try to put it in a quiet area. If your family home lacks this type of study space, you might gain an advantage with this simple planning step.
Add Kid-Height Furniture
Another solid choice is to add furniture that matches your children’s heights. Kid-height counters, tables, desks, and sinks can make your home much more pleasant. This might be somewhat expensive, but these additions can really make a difference.
Where Can I Find a Qualified Family Law Attorney in California?
If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced family law attorney in California, look no further than RM Law Group, LLP. Over the years, we have helped numerous parents in the Golden State fight for their rights and pursue positive custody outcomes. If you are ready to approach this situation confidently and efficiently, get in touch and book your consultation immediately. Improving your new home is only one example of how you can gain an advantage during your custody battle, and there are many other steps you can take right now. Reach out today to get started.
Jason Martinez is a co-founding partner of RM Law Group, LLP. His practice focuses exclusively on California Family Law and community property division, including litigation and settlement of complex and high-conflict divorce and child custody proceedings. Jason understands that divorce and family law issues have long-term effects on all family members, especially the children.
