What are the rights of a wife who seeks divorce, especially when there are children?

A woman is not permitted to seek a divorce without a legitimate Shar'i (Islamic legal) excuse, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Any woman who asks her husband for divorce without any strong reason, the scent of Paradise will be forbidden to her." The rights of the wife after divorce are: the deferred dower (mu'akhkhar al-mahr) if its time for payment has come, and maintenance (nafaqa), clothing (kiswa), and lodging (maskan) during the 'idda (waiting period) for a revocable divorce (talaq raj'i). There is also the mut'a (a compensatory gift), though scholars differ on its obligation. As for the maintenance, clothing, and lodging of the children, these are obligatory upon the father until the males reach adulthood and are capable of earning, and until the females get married. If the wife requests a divorce without an excuse, the husband is permitted not to divorce her unless she offers him a compensation (fidyah) to release herself from the marriage.