Family Law

How Will A Child Custody Attorney Protect My Interests?

By J. Benjamin Stevens

The following guest post is from Charles Hooper: 

There are few things more traumatic in a child's life than divorce. Try to look at it from their point of view. If the kids are very young, no explanation parents can offer is going to fill the empty space that divorces create. For older children the event can be especially catastrophic. No matter how clear the warnings that their parents' marriage is failing, few of them are prepared for how difficult it can be.

Studies abound showing that children living in broken homes suffer from multiple problems. Many of these issues are ignited and fueled by parents who don't know how to end their marriage well. Yes, a marriage can be terminated in a way that prevents or reduces these kinds of agonizing responses from your children. Clearly, your most important interest is the welfare of your children. One measure available to ensure their best interest is to consult with a child custody attorney prior to, or soon after, making the decision to separate.

Contrary to popular belief, these lawyers aren't vampires lurking around failed marriages. Sometimes all-out legal warfare is declared by parents who refuse to think of what's in their child's best interests. If this happens, there is an advantage to having access to one of these attorneys. But the reality is that most parents seeking divorce do care greatly about the impact it will have on their children. It's that very reason why so many bad marriages drag on and on; to 'protect the kids.' This can have a worse impact on the lives of kids than bitter divorce battles can inflict. Attorneys who specialize in divorce and child custody issues can help end a marriage without harming your children.

Those parents wise enough to consult a child custody attorney can experience many benefits. The two most important are ending a destructive marriage peacefully (most of these lawyers are well versed in divorce law), and doing it with minimal negative impact on their kids. Child custody attorneys can do this because they are guided by training and experience. Few people know better the potential legal pitfalls of divorce, and its consequences for children, than these professionals.

Mediating between the parents is one of their most powerful skills. Gone is the confusion, the raging arguments and tragic outcomes. By applying their expertise, other, related interests that are important to you, such as where the kids will live, visitation, and child support can all be ironed out.

Additionally, these lawyers know of many resources available to help both the parents and the children make the transition. Counselors, child-care centers, and numerous other services are familiar to them. They know that it's still going to be a very difficult event for everybody involved. But it doesn't have to be the terrible experience so many people have to endure.

Chances are good that a child custody attorney is available and accessible to you. The costs may not be as high as you might think, either. In fact, the stronger your interest in your children, the quicker and more receptive you'll be to mediation, thus lowering the cost.

Don't hesitate to at least call for a consultation. Many times lawyers offer a reduced or even no fee for this. Your most vital interest, the well-being of your children, could be at stake.

This article was written by Charles Hooper, an expert in the divorce support category at www.yoexpert.com.

Full post as published by SC Family Law Blog on February 07, 2011 (boomark / email).