Custody disputes are often an unfortunate result of separation and divorce.
When parents separate, they may have disagreements about how to share the raising their children. Disputed issues may include where children are going to live, how parenting time is going to be shared by parents, or how major parenting decisions will be made. In order to resolve these issues, a court will need to issue orders to clarify the parents’ rights and responsibilities through a “parenting plan.” This parenting plan will be included in a final order the parties will be bound to follow.
Most of the time, this final order will be agreed to by the parents after negotiation and compromise. But there are also many cases where despite their best efforts, parents cannot find common ground. In these situations, the parties’ lawyers will advocate for their clients’ positions at trial. After hearing the arguments and evidence, a judge or jury will then decide these parenting issues for the parties.
