In many cases, Florida parents want to do what is right for their children, but become blinded by their own emotional reaction to the end of their marriage or relationship. It is difficult to set aside one’s own feelings and focus exclusively on the needs of a child, but that is exactly what is called for during child custody discussions. Parents who want to try and work together to structure a custody or child support agreement should understand the importance of having a child custody attorney guide that process.
Sitting down and working out an agreement is a great way for both parents to get what they want while keeping the children in the center of the matter to end up with the best possible outcome. That said, few things are more likely to cause contention than matters involving one’s children and money. It is easy for parents to become sidetracked while working through their child support and custody options, which is where their attorneys can step in and provide guidance.
A family law attorney can advise his or her client on their legal options as well as the likely outcome that would occur if the matter was taken to court. He or she can help a parent refocus on what is important (the best interest of the child) while also ensuring that their own rights are being properly looked after. Having a trusted advisor to review an agreement before signing can give both parties a great deal of peace of mind.
Attempting to work through child support and custody issues in a collaborative manner is an admirable goal and one that is attainable for many Florida families. Having a child custody attorney as a source of advice and guidance can make it far easier to accomplish that goal. Parents should consider all of their options when working through custody and support matters, and they should select an attorney who shares their approach and respects their ideas.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Eliminating Child Support Debt by Improving Relationships“, Mark Echols, March 4, 2016
