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Why You Need A Durham NC Custody Attorney To Help Negotiate Child Guardianship

by Gary Hall

No matter how mutual the decision is, divorcing is hard on everyone involved. That includes the children in the family. The best case is that you and your spouse can work things out and come to an agreement about custodial care for the kids. If there are issues that make you think joint guardianship may not be a good idea, you probably need the advice of a professional. A <a href="www.foillawoffice.com/attorneys-staff">Durham NC custody attorney</a> can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various arrangements with you.

The best case scenario is that the spouses act intelligently and as adults when it comes to making custodial arrangements for their children. If they are equally responsible and committed, a joint arrangement can usually be worked out. When differences arise that can't be resolved between the two, the court may intervene.

The most common arrangement for custodial care is the children living with one parent during the week, and visiting the other parent on the weekends and holidays. This is a good plan for couples who have moved on to other relationships or live some distance from one another. It's not uncommon to negotiate holiday time, so each partner's family can celebrate with the youngsters.

Bird nesting is becoming more common. This plan involves the parents moving in and out of the primary residence instead of the children. Most couples keep separate homes they use when it's not their turn to have the kids. A lot of parents decide to do this because it creates a more stable situation for the children, especially the youngest ones.

In instances when abuse or instability is an issue, sole custodial care may be necessary. If you want to take this route you will have to petition the court. In doing so, you will be required to show that the other parent is unfit. This usually involves alcohol or drug abuse, physical abuse, financial, mental, or lifestyle instability. The other party is allowed to rebut the accusations.

While all the responsibilities fall on one parent in the case of sole custodial care, it can have a number of advantages. The kids have the full time support of the most reliable parent. They don't have to deal with the other parent's issues directly. Neither adult is forced into interacting with the other. This is sometimes helpful in the long run.

When parents can't agree about support, visitation, or anything else regarding their children, the court can step in and appoint a guardian ad litem. This is someone whose main function is to be an advocate for the children. They assess the situation and make their recommendations to the court regarding the custodial arrangement they believe to be in the best interest of the kids.

Divorces are difficult. They affect all the family members. When couples can move past the issues, at least momentarily, to concentrate on the best interests of their kids, everybody wins. Failure to do that can have lifelong consequences for their children.



Get a summary of important factors to consider when picking a <a href="http://www.foillawoffice.com/attorneys-staff">Durham NC custody attorney</a> and more information about an experienced lawyer at http://www.foillawoffice.com/attorneys-staff now.

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