Divorce or separation can be a harrowing prospect for any parent, but when you are the parents of a special needs child it can pose an even greater challenge:
- It can be harder to explain to your child what is happening and to offer reassurances about the future. You may need professional input and support
- Financially, there is less money to go around after separation or divorce. This can make it more difficult for a family to afford the kind of private services and supports your child may need to supplement public services. It can also render it almost impossible to try out alternative therapies.
- If your child has long term needs into adulthood then they will be considered a long term dependent, and special provision will need to made by any court for the child’s future. This can take the form of financial orders, orders over property for accommodation or security needs, or orders which involve the creation of a specific long term trust for the child. Consideration must be given to how a child is supported after the parents’ death. This all needs to be done now.
- Nobody knows your special needs child as well as you – the parents – and nobody else knows the exact care needs your own child has. This makes it all the more important that every attempt is made to reach agreement outside of court where proper time and consideration can be given to flexible and creative future planning
Deirdre Burke has 15 years’ experience working in family law, is a trained Family Law Mediator, and a member of the Family Lawyers Association, the Association of Collaborative Practitioners (Irish & International), the East Coast Collaborative Lawyers Group, and a member of South East Collaborative Family Law Solicitors. You can call her on 0402 24370 or 01 2148662 or email: info@dmburke.ie