Resolving Family Court Cases With Help From A Lawyer Resolving Family Court Cases With Help From A Lawyer

If you're going through a divorce, and there are children involved, you want to make sure that they're safe. That includes protecting them from parental abduction. While parental abduction isn't common, it does happen. In fact, just over 200,000 children are abducted by a family member every year. Even if you don't think your spouse would ever abduct your children, now that you're divorcing, you need to prepare for the possibility. Here are four steps you should take to prepare yourself – and your kids – for the possibility of a parental abduction. 

Report All Threats

While you're going through the divorce – and afterwards, as well – it's important that you take all threats seriously. It's also important that you report those threats immediately. If your spouse makes any comments regarding abduction, you should notify your divorce attorney and your children's school. It's also important that you contact local law enforcement. This will allow them to keep a record of the threats. When it comes to your children's safety, don't ever overlook a threat or comment that makes you fearful.

Keep Copies of Important Documents

If your children are abducted by your spouse, you're going to need the proper documentation to get an investigation started. To speed up the process, you'll need to keep copies of important documents on-hand at all times. Some of the copies you'll need include:

• Custody and visitation orders – to show that you have custody
• Passports – in case your spouse leaves the country with your kids
• Orders of protection – if there is a history of abuse or violence

Update Your Child's Descriptive Information

If your children are abducted by your spouse, you'll need to provide physical descriptions immediately. Since children's size and physical appearances change so quickly when they're growing up, it's important that you update their descriptive information as often as possible. Take monthly pictures of your children, and attach a post-it note to the back of each photo. Document your child's current height, weight, and physical features on the post-it note. This will ensure that you always have updated information.

Maintain Open Communication With Your Child

To protect your children, it's important that you maintain open communication with them. This is especially important if your spouse has made threats about abducting your kids. Before your children leave for visits, be specific about how long you expect the visit to last. It's also important that you give them instructions on what they should do if the visit extends beyond that. For instance, let older children know when it's time to try and get help.

• When they're registered in a different school
• If their other parent alters their appearance (like dyeing or cutting their hair)
• If their other parent starts calling them by a different name

You don't want to instill fear or panic in your children. However, you do need to make sure that they're prepared for an emergency.

If you're going through a divorce, and you're worried that your spouse will abduct your children, use the tips provided here to protect them. Be sure to talk to a divorce attorney like those at Father's Rights for Equality in Divorce about other ways to protect your kids.