Misinformation is a major issue in all aspects of divorce, including child custody. This can cause people to make costly mistakes that can hurt their cases. Child custody decisions are made in the child’s best interests, which means each case will be unique, depending on the underlying circumstances. Thus, parents need to be informed.
The following are three myths about child custody you may have heard.
Child custody must be decided by the court
Undeniably, child custody can lead to disputes, as both parents want to protect their parenting rights. But this is not always the case. You and the other parent can agree on matters concerning the kids outside the court. These include:
- Who will have primary custody
- How the kids will visit the non-custodial parent
- Decision-making processes
- Communication methods and how often to contact each other
- Disciplinary actions and how to implement them
If you and your spouse can agree on these matters and more, you may only need to go to court to make them legal.
The child can choose where to live
If you go to court or make decisions outside court, your child’s views matter, but this may not be used to make crucial decisions, especially when they are not old enough to decide what’s best for them. Therefore, it’s a myth that a child can choose where they want to live. But it’s vital to take note of their concerns.
A child custody order can’t be modified
The order the court gives can be changed when circumstances change. If the other parent violates the agreement, or your schedule or that of your child changes, you may request to modify the order.
Child custody is associated with many myths. It will be best to get more information to help you make calculated moves.