Child custody issues are often extremely sensitive matters, and it's not uncommon for these disputes to become contentious and volatile. For the health and peace of mind of all parties involved, both parents should be proactive in taking the necessary steps to ensure the legal process can play out as quickly and efficiently as possible. To that end, below are some do's and don'ts to bear in mind when navigating a custody case.

Do:

Be willing.

Don't fight your ex on every little point. Demonstrate to the courts that you’re willing to negotiate and are open to compromise. Parents have every right to be angry at one another; they don't have the right to inflict that anger via their child's relationship with the other parent. Enter a child custody dispute with a spirit of collaboration, and you are doing your whole family a major service.

Take advantage of current custody arrangements.

In most situations, courts will set up temporary child custody arrangements until more permanent ones can be established. Take full advantage of whatever the courts offer, whether that means supervised visits or a full 50/50 split between you and your ex. In other words: spend every moment with your kids that you can. You are showing the court that your kids are a priority. And this doesn't mean taking them to Disney World on every visit; routine things like chores and homework are just as, if not more, important.

Don't:

Be late.

Again, this is a matter of priority. If a person is consistently late to their scheduled pickups and drop-offs with the kids, how will that look to the courts? It seems to suggest that the children and their schedule are not as important as you and your schedule. Make the kids your priority and be on time.

Put the kids in the middle.

Children should not have the responsibility of dealing with adult-level problems. You may feel greatly wronged by your ex. You may feel the kids have been greatly wronged by them. You may feel the courts are being unfair. Whatever you feel, the kids and their well-being are still most important. They deserve to have relationships with both their parents, and they aren't obligated to help you carry your emotional baggage.

The above child custody do's and don'ts can keep you and your family on the right track toward a speedy and effective resolution. No matter where you are in the custody process, trust Donna C. Crooks, Attorney at Law. She has more than 20 years' experience representing family and bankruptcy law cases in Enterprise and Dothan, AL. Schedule a consultation by calling (334) 598-9534 or visit the firm online.