If you and your spouse are considering filing for
divorce in Florida and you have children together, you may have questions about
who will have primary custody and how often you will get to see them.
Unfortunately, discussions about
child custody can typically result in a hotly contested and emotionally overwhelming
dispute. And what makes these battles even worse is that your child may
fall in the middle of the fight.
The following are tips to help avoid a child custody battle with your spouse:
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Have open and honest communication with your spouse. Allow him or her time to ask questions and listen to concerns in order
to work together on an arrangement that benefits both parties.
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Listen to what your children have to say. Children, especially those near or in their teenage years, may have opinions
and thoughts about where they want to live, which you should consider
accommodating. Keep in mind, the child’s best interest is considered
a huge factor when determining child custody arrangements.
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Use mediation. Mediation services during divorce proceedings can be quite helpful. You
have the opportunity to determine your own parenting plan without having
a judge decide it for you and your spouse. Additionally, it is a cheaper
option than going to trial.
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Remain positive. While you want to see your children whenever you want, filing for divorce
is associated with serious consequences. Staying positive throughout the
entire ordeal will help your children better adjust to the new circumstances.
If you are struggling to come to a child custody agreement with your spouse,
you may want to consider seeking legal counsel from an experienced family
lawyer to help mediate the situation and create a suitable plan that works
for everyone. At
Law Offices of Robert Stepniak, we will listen to the details of your case and offer legal support to
help you obtain the most favorable outcome possible.
Contact us and request a
free consultation with our Daytona Beach divorce attorney today.