Expert Gives Tips On Preparing Children For Divorce, Court

By Michelle Durham

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Children's Television Workshop is tackling divorce. "Sesame Street" character "Abby Cadabby" is trying to adjust to her parents' divorce which brings us some interesting questions.

How do you talk to your children about the divorce and, if necessary, how do you prepare them for court.

"There's coaching for court and there's also coaching for separation or divorce. Coaching for divorce is a different process. When you intend to separate and or divorce, that's a decision you should share jointly with the children," says David Rasner, partner and co-chair of the Family Law Department at Fox Rothschild LLP.

Rasner says the child is interested in how this will affect their lives so answering their questions is crucial.

"A parent must tell the child to tell the truth. It's age sensitive. How you say things to a six, seven or eight-year-old is different than how you say it to a 10, 11 or 12-year old," Rasner explains.

But he says the parent must tell the child to tell the truth regardless of how it turns out for the adults.