Any divorcing couple wants to avoid a contentious split — but sometimes, that is simply the way things are. Whether the divorce is amicable or divisive, one of the most important (if not the most important) issues at hand is child custody. If you and your spouse have a child, coming to terms on child support, custody and visitation will be a key matter in proceedings. Ultimately, both you and your spouse want what is best for your child; but getting there can be difficult.
So here are a few steps that Pensacola fathers should take when they are gearing up for child custody discussions:
- Know your demands, seek them out and get legal support. If you want aggressive visitation rights or if you want sole custody, do not be afraid of it. You should not settle for less from the get-go; take a stance and work with your family law attorney to organize a plan to obtain the best possible child custody deal for you.
- Keep child support matters on the backburner for now. It will seem petty and disingenuous to bring up support payments during custody discussions. It rarely helps your case, and will more than likely hurt it. There will be a time and a place for support discussions once custody is agreed.
- In the end, do everything you can to be on acceptable terms with your former spouse. Raising your child in a contentious atmosphere after the divorce is complete is not good for anyone. So do everything you can to have “clear the air” talks with your former spouse so that you can establish a courteous relationship for the benefit of your child.
Source: Huffington Post, “Custody Battles: The Top Five Things Dads Should Know Before Setting Foot in Court,” Morghan Leia Richardson, May 23, 2013
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