Dealing with Child Custody in Northern Virginia can often be one of the most difficult parts of a divorce. While many people can come to an agreement on how to split up their finances and other assets, when it comes to their children it may be much more difficult. When dealing with these types of issues, even if the parents are on good terms, it is imperative that they are represented by a law firm that is experienced in these types of cases.
Most lawyers who regularly handle child custody issues will understand the difficulty that determining where their children will live can be for parents who are no longer together. Many times, there is a lot of hostility and emotions leftover from the breakdown of the couple’s relationship. This can be carried through to decisions about their children, which can make it difficult for an agreement to be reached. Since a lawyer can act as an impartial party in the matter, they are often able to bring the parent’s focus back on their children and their needs rather than in arguing or retaliating against one another.
Very often, a lawyer in a case involving Child Custody in Northern Virginia will try to work with the other party’s attorney to come to an agreement on where the children will live, who will have physical custody and how legal custody will be set up. If lawyers are unable to resolve these matters, the couple may need to spend some time in mediation. Sometimes a court will order this and sometimes it can be a voluntary choice of the couple. A mediator will try to work with the couple in setting up a parenting plan that can incorporate as many of the parent’s individual wishes and goals for the children as possible. During such meetings, the mediator will help to keep the focus on the task so that an agreement can be reached without the court’s involvement.
Parents who are still unable to come to an agreement on the matter will need to take the matter to a court of law. In this process, a judge will hear both sides and then based on the evidence provided or ordered by the court they will determine how the custody of the children. During such a process, being represented by an experienced law firm can be invaluable to a parent’s case.
