How are child custody disputes resolved in a Louisville divorce? What are the best strategies to resolve child custody and other contentious issue in your divorce? The attorneys at Dodd & Dodd have decades of experience in child custody and visitation matters here in Louisville and throughout the area. Resolving child custody while accomplishing your goals and objectives is one of the strongest reasons to entrust your Louisville divorce to our attorneys.
The primary question in Kentucky child custody cases is “What is in the best interest(s) of the child?” Here in Kentucky, our laws recognize it is in a child’s best interests to spend equal quality time with each parent, to preserve contact and communication whenever possible. Technology makes this much more manageable. While nothing can replace time spent in each other’s company, it has become much easier to share video chats, texts, phone calls, and other interactions with our children.
In many cases, the parents are able to work out a schedule that preserves as much of the existing patterns in their children’s lives as possible while ensuring each parent shares an equal amount of quality time with each child. But what happens when there are issues between the parents or when a custody battle is just another part of a contentious process? What happens when there are issues such as addiction, personality disorders, or Domestic Violence? How are child custody disputes resolved in a Louisville divorce?
Negotiation between the parties themselves or with the assistance of your Dodd and Dodd divorce attorney is the most productive, fastest, and cost-effective strategy to develop an agreed-upon child custody and visitation schedule. We guide our clients with sound advice, counsel, and strategies proven over several decades of experience here in Louisville area Family Courts. Keep communications focused on the genuine issues at hand. The moment you sense a rise in the temperature of the conversation, it is best to put down the phone, stop talking, texting or emailing, and allow emotions to pass. In many cases, finding a resolution you can agree upon while accomplishing your goals for the process will eventually be possible.
When negotiations cannot resolve every issue or detail in these disputes, mediation is a cost-efficient and private alternative to consider. The parties agree upon an experienced, neutral third party (the mediator) who can help clarify issues, offer suggestions and options, and establish a process that facilitates the likelihood of reaching an agreement. Mediation keeps your private and personal business out of the public record. It is also important to note that anything presented or discussed stays in mediation. The offers, information, or evidence shared in mediation will not simply translate to the matter before the Judge.
If an agreement between the parties cannot be reached through negotiation or mediation, the matter must be taken before the Judge. It is important to note that the decisions rendered by a Family Court Judge are rarely “win” or “lose.” In most cases, both parties will feel like they lost a little bit in the Judge’s decision. It is also important to note that agreements reached through negotiation or mediation are far more likely to hold up in the future. Many studies have shown that the parties share an essential element of ownership and personal buy-in with these agreements. When a decision is issued by a stranger (the Judge), the parties are less likely to abide by it in the future, and post-decree litigation is much more likely.
How are child custody disputes resolved in a Louisville area divorce case? In many cases, effective negotiation and/or mediation can help the parties to develop and implement a successful custody and visitation schedule. Your divorce cannot be completed until every issue associated with the divorce is completely resolved. If negotiation and mediation are unsuccessful, the Judge will decide the matter.
Dodd and Dodd have represented families and parents in the Louisville area for generations. We work with our clients through each step in the process to help them accomplish their parenting objectives while remaining focused on the best interests of the child(ren).
What keeps you up at night? What concerns you most about your divorce and the issues associated with your kids? We invite you to a conversation. Learn more about how to maximize the opportunity for a successful outcome in your divorce.
We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our former clients and the legal industry and contact Dodd & Dodd or call 502-584-1108 to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys.
