The process of getting a divorce involves making many decisions that impact your entire family. When a child is involved, one of the biggest agreements that must be reached is where the child will live and who will make the important decisions that affect their life - such as where they will attend school.
Child custody discussions can sometimes get heated, but it's always best if you can work out an agreement with your ex-spouse that allows everyone to feel comfortable with the new arrangements. Use these tips to reach a custody agreement that protects your child's best interests.
Understand the Different Types of Custody
In Indiana, there are several different types of custody. Physical custody refers to which parent has the child physically in their possession the majority of the time. Usually, this would mean the person that the child lives with, but it is also possible for parents to split physical custody equally.
Legal custody involves the right for one or both parents to make major decisions regarding health care, education, religion, and any other issues that arise. It is possible to have some degree of legal custody even if you do not have physical custody.
Know Your Options for Seeking Resolution
When seeking a divorce, you have several options for resolving child custody issues. Ideally, you can work out your differences with your ex-spouse through mediation - where you meet with a neutral party to try to reach an agreement. If this is not possible, then the courts can decide child custody.
Consider Your Child's Needs
Child custody decisions should always be made with your child's best interests in mind. When you and your ex-spouse cannot agree upon a specific part of your parenting plan, try to think of what is best for your child overall. This helps both parties to maintain the right perspective for promoting your child's wellbeing.
Be Familiar With State Parenting Guidelines
The Indiana State Parenting Guidelines have been adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court as being one way to resolve child custody and visitation disputes by meeting the child's needs to have both parents involved in their life.
Keep in mind that these guidelines only represent the minimal level of involvement that is recommended. However, it can give you a starting point for working with the other parent during the mediation process.
Try to Keep an Open Mind
There may be times when you and your child's other parent disagree during the discussions. When this happens, remain calm and consider your child's best interests. Try to keep other issues such as the division of property out of these discussions so that you can keep a positive attitude as you talk about your child's living and care arrangements.
Finalize Your Agreement
Once you have reached an agreement, you will be ready to work with a lawyer to get it all down on paper so that there is no question of what has been decided. This will then be submitted to the courts for approval. After it has been approved, it will be added to your final Decree of Dissolution.
If you and your family do come to a point where the custody arrangements are no longer working, you can have the final order modified. Keep in mind that you should stick to the current plan until you and your child's other parent have sought legal advice and worked through the proper channels to get the modifications approved by the court.
At
The Law Firm of Krisor & Associates, we can help you navigate through the process of reaching a custody agreement that benefits your child. Contact us to get started today.
