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Avoiding common child custody and visitation pitfalls

Divorcing parents often hope to avoid protracted and bitter legal disputes and get through the process amicably and quickly, but these hopes are sometimes dashed when it comes time to discuss child custody and visitation. These disputes can also place the children involved in a very difficult position, and even North Carolina parents that have worked out detailed parenting arrangements may find it difficult to avoid confrontations and conflict when putting their carefully crafted plans into practice.

The desire to keep their legal bills manageable may lead spouses to put their differences aside during divorce negotiations, but lingering resentments often resurface once the paperwork has been completed and life returns to normal. Divorced parents who do not see eye to eye sometimes try to punish one another by refusing to abide by the terms of visitation and custody arrangements, which can lead to a negative spiral of accusations and lawsuits.

They may be able to avoid this kind of pitfall by remembering that conflicts with their former spouses are likely to have a negative impact on their children. Parents who are able to do this may develop more productive and amicable relationships with their former spouses even when they parted in acrimonious circumstances, but those who are unable to look beyond the past may face legal actions or even criminal sanctions.

Experienced family law attorneys know how contentious custody disputes can be, and they may take a diplomatic and delicate approach when these matters are being negotiated. Attorneys could also remind their clients that entering into legally binding parenting agreements should be taken seriously and that the sanctions for violating them could be severe.