How To Prepare For Custody Mediation During A Divorce
Child custody mediation may be less adversarial than going to court, but that does not mean it is easy. In fact, determining child custody is often the most difficult part of going through a divorce. If you are trying to work through custody without confrontation, you might consider mediation.
These tips will help you prepare for an upcoming child custody mediation appointment so that you can keep your child's best interest in mind.
Come In With a Preferred Schedule
Do you have a schedule that is ideal for you? Put it in writing. Better yet, make a calendar that shows your preference. This will give you something to bargain with and will be a visual representation of your wishes. This will help you show how you intend to split time with your ex.
Write Down Some Guidelines
In the event that your schedule preference does not work out, it pays to have a set of provisions or guidelines in place that help you set up a different schedule. The guidelines help you distribute parental responsibility and divide your wishes accordingly.
For example, you may want to cover topics like holidays and weekends. What will you do when your child changes schools, grows older? What kinds of problems may arise, and how will you and your ex deal with them? What happens if step-parents enter the picture?
Be Open
Of course, you can come in to mediation with your own plan, but that does not mean everything will work out your way. You must be open to considering other ways of moving forward, especially because your child's best interest may involve a different plan.
Keep Track of the Current Situation
Journaling is a good idea. This does not mean you need to write down your thoughts about the events in your life. Instead, just make note of things that happen involving custody. When did you see your child? When did you pick them up from school? Stick to the facts.
Talk to Your Divorce Lawyer
Your divorce lawyer is an important part of the process, including mediation. Even if your attorney does not fight for you in court regarding mediation, you need to have somebody you can rely on. They can advise you as you work through mediation.
Call a divorce lawyer today to learn more about your legal options. Mediation may be a great opportunity to work through custody in your situation.
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