Divorce Child Custody

Divorce takes a toll on more than the two people involved—children are deeply affected as well.  Unfortunately, with approximately half of all marriages ending due to divorce, millions of children are left to face the effects of divorce.

Children of divorced parents may experience feelings of anger, fear, confusion, and resentment. For many, these feelings may last through their childhood and permeate their own relationships and marriage.

Children may also be affected economically by divorce. It is much harder to live cheaply when the family is separated than when the family is together. Divorced parents may find that resources are scarce, leading to an economic hardship on the family.

Child custody laws are used to smooth the transition from being one household to having parents who live separately. The parent who receives custody of the children, referred to as the “custodial parent,” is the primary caretaker. This means that the children live with the custodial parent, but may visit their other (“noncustodial”) parent.

In the case of joint physical custody, the children’s time is divided more evenly between both parents. This means that the children may spend weeks at a time with each parent. In arrangements such as this, it is preferable that the parents live in the same town or school district.

It is not necessary to go to court to settle a child custody dispute; in fact, only one to two percent of custody disputes go to trial. Child custody cases can be worked out during mediation. This may work out in your best interest, as you and your spouse have control over the situation, rather than a judge who does not understand your circumstances.

While it is not necessary to hire a child custody lawyer to help with your child custody, it may be beneficial. After all, lawyers understand the law and the best approach to take. Because they are not emotionally involved, lawyers can ensure that cooler heads prevail and can help reduce or eliminate hostility during negotiations.

Going through a divorce is a difficult situation. If you have questions about divorce child custody, it is important to discuss them with a qualified lawyer in your area. A divorce lawyer can show you your options and help you make the right decision for your case.