It is common knowledge that once a person turns 18, they are legally an adult. Your children might be excited about this prospect. However, you might feel more anxiety than excitement, as their parent. Divorced parents should expect a time of considerable change and transition.
So, what should divorced parents consider as their child’s 18th birthday approaches?
Prepare for the changes
Once your child is no longer a minor under North Carolina law, divorced parents will have to adjust to several changes. These changes generally relate to:
- Support: A parent’s obligation to financially support their children generally ends once their kids officially become adults. There are some exceptions, such as if you make an arrangement to help pay for a child’s higher education. However, in most cases child support payments terminate when your child turns 18.
- Custody: Put simply, your child custody arrangement will no longer apply. Since your child is legally an adult now, they can make decisions for themselves. This includes who they live with as well as how long they spend with each parent. These terms are no longer up to the courts or your agreement.
- Life: Your child’s life and yours will likely change. Your child may be off to college, and you and your ex-spouse may be left with empty nests. Your whole family must make adjustments to these changes in your lives as well as your homes.
- Relationship: As time passes and your child matures, the parent-child relationship will change as well. Continue to foster connections with your child as you help them find their way in the adult world.
While your custody arrangement may no longer be in effect, that does not mean your co-parenting efforts should go by the wayside. After all, no matter how old your children get, they will always be your children, and you are all still a family. It will often be beneficial to maintain civil relationships with your child’s other parent, and work to protect the future relationship with your child as they grow into adulthood.