Parenting is never easy, and when a divorce or separation unfolds between spouses, one of the hardest choices to make is deciding who should get custody of the children. The divorce lawyers at Payne Law Office state that, despite conflicts between parents, there are civil ways to handle these tough custody decisions, and the most important thing is to put your emotions aside and consider what is best for your kids.

If you’re facing a custody decision, these experienced attorneys also suggest that you consider the following:

• Hiring a Mediator: Many family law attorneys offer mediation services, which spare couples from dragging out their issues in court. A mediation service offers a calm and civilized platform to lay out each party’s thoughts on the table, with a mediator in between. During the session, you can discuss visitation rights as well as the responsibilities of each parent. When a conclusion is reached, a legal agreement can be drafted to include the promises made by each party.
• Filing For Custody: If no settlement can be reached, and you believe your child’s other parent isn’t a good fit due to violence, drug addiction, anger issues, etc., a divorce lawyer can be hired to represent you. Your lawyer will help to persuade the judge of why you may be worried about giving up or sharing custody. Ultimately, the case will be handled in a family court, where the judge will decide the best custody arrangement for your child or children.

For other legal advice on how to apply for custody or handle the challenges presented by divorce, contact the family law office of Payne Law Office online or by phone at (402) 477-7246 today.