Divorcing parents are going to need help figuring out all of their child custody issues. Fortunately, there are many resources for parents searching for child custody help. Here’s a brief overview of just some of the ways that parents can get help for their situation.
1. Child custody mediation. Custody mediation is a good way for parents to work out their custody agreement or parenting plan. There is a high success rate in mediation, and the parents get a personal custody coach to work through their issues. The mediator is a neutral party who helps the parents make decisions that are the best for the children. To find a mediator, look in your local phone book, check online, or ask at the courthouse. Some states require that parents go through mediation, and you can save money by going through the court mediator.
2. An attorney. This is usually the resource parents think about. Attorneys are valuable for how much they know about the law, but they are also very expensive. You can usually consult with an attorney before you retain one, and you should do so if you feel like you need a lawyer. If a parent is deeply involved in a custody battle, they may need an attorney to help them.
3. The courthouse. There should be help at the courthouse when you file your custody papers. Some courts even have a little reference library where parents can look up information about the custody laws in their state. You can also ask questions about forms and papers to the people who work at the court.
4. Online information, forums, books and other literature. Many states have pages about their custody laws and you can even find a lot of forms online. You can also find advice and forums to help you figure out some of your custody issues. Even though there is a lot of information available on the internet, don’t forget about your local library. There are numerous books that can help your with child custody and your library may have a reference section where you can learn more about the state laws.
5. Support groups. Many areas have support groups for divorced or divorcing parents that provide custody help. Check in your local paper, at the library or other public place, or online to find out more information about support groups in your area. It can be a great benefit to meet with people who have gone or are going through a similar situation that you are. And, you can get good advice about how to handle your custody situation.
6. Custody software. If you need help creating a custody agreement or parenting plan, you can get software (like Custody X Change) to help you. This can be a way to take some of the stress out of your situation and create an agreement that works for you.