Determining who will retain custody of the children is one of the most difficult issues to resolve in a divorce, which can cause heated conflict in even the most amicable marriage dissolution. For many parents, child custody disputes can be even more stressful due to confusion about the process and how these decisions are made. According to Weingast Law’s family law attorneys, based in Hartford, CT, there are several avenues through which child custody issues may be decided.

The majority of custody disputes are settled privately between the parents, usually with the help of a lawyer skilled in family law who can help each of you achieve some degree of objectivity. Once an agreement has been reached, it must be submitted to the family court, where it will be reviewed and issued as a legally binding order. If common ground proves more difficult to find, you may decide to enter into an alternative dispute resolution program, such as mediation or “collaborative law,” in which a family lawyer will help guide your negotiations and find solutions where all parties are comfortable.

When custody disputes are more contentious and mutually agreeable solutions seem impossible to find, you may have to turn to a family court judge who will make the determination about child custody for you. The judge will weigh a variety of factors to decide what is in the best interests of the child, from their age to your living situations, incomes, and prior history of cooperating with the other parent. Most experts agree that this avenue should be avoided whenever possible, as intense custody battles have been shown to have a negative impact on children's mental health.

For over 35 years, Weingast Law has been helping families throughout the area achieve the best possible outcome in a variety of family law matters. To learn more and schedule a consultation, visit the website or call (860) 233-1440 today.