If you are going through a divorce, your number one concern is naturally your children and child custody arrangements. If you and your divorcing spouse can’t come to an agreement regarding those arrangements, it is likely to make the already difficult divorce process that much more grueling. If, ultimately, you and your children’s other parent can’t hammer out a parenting plan that you both can live with, it’s likely that the court will decide the matter for you. Your child custody arrangements are far too important to leave to chance; consult with an experienced Houston family law attorney today.
What’s Best for Your Children
You want what’s best for your children, and if you and their other parent can’t see eye to eye on the matter, it can not only significantly stall your divorce but can also cause serious heartache. It’s important to remember, however, that children fare best when they spend a decent amount of time with both parents. Being open to possibility while you’re attempting to negotiate a visitation schedule may be all you need to help you find some common ground with your divorcing spouse.
Negotiation is Key
If you and your soon-to-be ex have stalled at the child custody arrangements, it’s time to reflect on your main priorities. If you have been the more active day-to-day parent in your children’s lives, being the custodial parent may well be your primary concern. Once you recognize what’s most important to you regarding child custody, you might find that you feel more comfortable agreeing to allow your children’s other parent more visitation time.
The fact is that divorce is extremely stressful and issues related to our children’s well-being are extremely stressful, and the combination can be so overwhelming that it leads otherwise reasonable people to sometimes do unreasonable things. If your spouse is digging his or her heels in, it’s probably time to pull out your best negotiating skills and see where they get you. When you recognize that spending a good amount of time with their other parent is in your children’s best interests, it may allow you to feel a bit more generous when it comes to the visitation schedule.
Mediation: The Next Step
If you and your divorcing spouse – with the guidance and help of your respective family law attorneys – simply can’t come to terms that you can both live with, the next step is likely to be mediation. Mediators who guide mediation sessions are trained to help couples in situations much like your own find some middle ground and hammer out agreements that both parties can sign off on. The mediator may also provide you with some insight regarding your dilemma and might share what his or her best guess is related to the direction the court is likely to go in if it comes to that.
Look at mediation as an opportunity to have your voice heard, and make sure that you have a solid understanding of where you’re willing to compromise any of those issues that give you pause. Your dedicated Houston divorce attorney will help you better understand your options and recognize your priorities. Your spouse is very likely as upset about the subject as you are, and if you can demonstrate that you are willing to be flexible on the matter, it might provide him or her with the peace of mind necessary to make compromises.
Taking the Matter to Court
Some couples have such differing and intransigent views that they simply come to a standstill on this important topic. Further, if your divorce is highly contentious, emotions might run so high that it makes every decision that needs to be made that much more difficult. If you and your children’s other parent simply can’t reach a consensus regarding child custody arrangements, you will likely have to turn the matter over to the court.
The Court’s Stance
The court tasks itself with making decisions that are in the best interest of the children involved. This is all well and good, but the presiding judge can’t possibly know your children the way you do, which means that his or her judgment regarding what’s best for your children may not coincide with your own. Avoiding the unknown element of the court and the attendant judge’s decision is always the best path if it is even remotely possible.
If your divorce has gone in such a direction that there is no other option, your experienced family law attorney will help ensure that you are well prepared to go before the court and present the strongest evidence regarding why the child custody arrangements you envision represent the best path forward for your children. Being able to demonstrate that you have been more than willing to compromise on the matter throughout the process can only help your case.
Putting Your Best Foot Forward
If you’re going to court regarding child custody, it’s your opportunity to not only have your voice heard but to clearly demonstrate exactly what it is that you have to offer your children. Divorce can negatively affect even the coolest heads, but when you go to court, you want to bring your A-game. Part of this is being able to show through your actions and demeanor that you are ready, willing, and able to reasonably address the issue and to compromise on the details. You are before the court to take care of an important matter, and showing your respect for the process is in you and your children’s best interests.
If You and Your Divorcing Spouse Are at a Standstill Regarding Child Custody, Consult with an Experienced Houston Family Law Attorney Today
If you and your soon-to-be ex simply can’t come to terms regarding the most critical component of your divorce, child custody, the dedicated legal team at Rudisel Law Firm, P.C., in Houston is here to help. Our experienced family law attorneys have the skill, knowledge, and compassion to help you work your way through this difficult impasse. For more information, contact or call us at 713-781-7775 today.
