Working With A Lawyer To Set Up A Custody Agreement For Your Kids
No one likes having to deal with things like divorce or separation, but when it does happen and there are children involved, it is important to put aside your differences and make sure that any custody agreement addresses their needs as much as they do yours. A divorce does not have to be hard on the children, so take the time to consider their needs while you are getting the legal details ironed out.
Separation And Temporary Agreements
When you first decide that it is time to separate, there are a lot of things that will come up. Finding a gentle way to talk to the kids about your decision is going to be hard but try to explain that it is not about them and that they will remain important to both you and your spouse. They will need to be reassured, and if there is constant fighting over things that center around them, it will be much harder for them to adjust. If you are putting a temporary agreement together, try to allow as much time as possible for both parents so that things stay pretty simple until the legal order from the court is put in place.
Getting A Lawyer Involved
Once you are ready to start putting the final custody agreement in place, it can be helpful to have a lawyer involved in the process. You do not have to hire two different lawyers if you are comfortable using one and are in agreement on the terms of the custody but be clear with your spouse about the expectations going in so that all the lawyer needs to do is help you get the agreement in terms the court will accept. If you are not on the same page, you may need to get separate lawyers involved, but even if that is the case, it is better to try and work out the custody amicably.
Keeping To The Agreement
When you have your final agreement in place, working hard to keep the agreement and not put the kids in a position to feel like pawns is important. If you agreed to specific terms but they are not a good fit anymore, sit down with your custody lawyer and try to work together to make adjustments that work for everyone involved. Sometimes the changes might be small, other times they can be major life adjustments. Remember that changing the agreement will mean modifying it with the court, so take your time and make sure you make the needed changes all at once, as the court will not consent to change the agreement every few months.
Contact a lawyer like Karen Robins Carnegie PLC for more assistance.
