THE IDEA OF divorce is frightening to a teen for a variety of reasons. Divorce may mean having to move to a new home in a new neighborhood—even a new city. A teenage child of divorcing parents may have to face another kind of separation: leaving one school and friends behind and starting over in a new school. There are frequently changes in the family finances, especially if one parent is dependent on the other's child support payments. A mother who worked part-time before the divorce might be forced to work full-time to make ends meet. When that happens, the teen may face more responsibilities at home, such as helping with meals or watching a younger brother or sister.

These are changes that may occur later, after the parents have made the decision to divorce. But experts are...