Child custody is one of the most complicated parts of divorce. Even when both parents get along well, custody rights can come under dispute.
It is most common for couples to resolve custody disputes informally. This is when you and your spouse talk on your own and decide what will work best for your situation. If you cannot resolve the dispute on your own, then there is the possibility of going through mediation, arbitration or trial to find a solution.
It is important to remember that your child comes first in custody situations. When disputes get out of hand, it can result in serious problems.
What are some possible dispute-related custody issues?
There are a few things that can happen during a custody dispute that make the situation worse. One parent may participate in alienation, for instance, which is a way of coaxing a child into rejecting the other parent. Others may stand in the way of custody orders or arrangements already set up, preventing the other parent from seeing the child. Other parents use their children as messengers, relaying negative messages from one another through their child.
It’s important not to let your child become a pawn during a divorce. They deserve the right to be respected and cared for. Just as your marriage is ending, the only life your child may have ever known is changing rapidly, too. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to treat your child well and to make sure that they receive the care and support they need while you complete custody arrangements in whatever way necessary.
