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divorce 300x199 Divorce and Child Custody

Child custody and visitation rights are very often a major issue in Divorce Cases.

There are very few issues in a divorce case that are more emotionally charged than the who will care for the children on a regular basis, basically the issue of the proper placement of children. Parental motivations can vary wildly based on many factors. The court is customarily charged with determining what is in the best interest of the child. In a contest between two parents, the determinative question is usually whether it is in the best interest of the child to be placed primarily with mom, or primarily with dad, and how much contact the children should have with the non-Custodial parent. If the contest is between a non-parent and a parent, the non-parent must first prove that it would be detrimental to the child to be placed with a parent, and in this case a good divorce lawyer will be very necessary. It is no easy task to present evidence and determine the ‘best interest’ of a child or children.

Unless there is substantial information which would lead to indicate a contrary result, experience dictates that the court will give serious consideration to the status quo, i.e. what has been established as the present and existing pattern of parenting. For this reason it is important to consider what the pattern of parenting and child sharing will be, consistent with that which you have determined, through experience, is in the child’s best interest. The court will generally assume that the pattern of conduct and sharing used by the parents prior to the start of the divorce or conflict, is at least a valid starting point. At times, the pattern previously established may not be perfect, or might need adjustment, the court may adopt that plan because it is a plan which the parents have tactfully , if not expressively, previous agreed upon. It is only when the parents have extreme conflict and are unable to act consistently in the children’s best interest that the court becomes involved, and a good divorce lawyer for each parent will be in everybody’s best interests.

The status quo is often a persuasive indicator of something which, absent contrary indications, has not harmed the children and, hopefully, has assisted in their development and maturation process.

Only when the parents are able to see a similar vision are they able to set aside their differences and allow the discussion to tend towards what the child’s best interest is, and how the soon to be divorced parents can best provide for these interests. Mediation is a forum to assist parents in communicating their own visions. The position of most parents, as it relates to their children, is to obtain that which is best for their child (which frequently satisfies their “best interest”). It is important for those considering divorce, most states will typically generally presume that an agreement reached between the parents regarding the child sharing arrangement will be in the child’s best interest. Some states also recognize the fact that nobody will know better what is best for a child than the child’s parents. It is only when the parents are unable to agree what is best for the child that good divorce lawyers and court adjudication becomes necessary.

When there are disputes involving child custody and child visitation, considered with the formal process to resolve the disputes, can lead to substantial litigation and therefore – expense, as well as bad feeling between all involved. Many states statutory scheme requires parents to seek mediation before the court is permitted to make a decision regarding Custody and/or visitation. Absent conclusion through a mediation process or settlement conference, litigation remains the sole state mandated forum for resolution, which is another reason why you would definitely want a good divorce lawyer to assist you in this process.

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