| Sometimes in life the simplest changes may make the | | | | the emphasis on your child's best interest. It is |
| biggest difference. If you are a parent dealing with child | | | | accepted by the courts that a child is better served by |
| custody one of these simple changes may be how | | | | having relationships with both parents. So changing the |
| you phrase you child custody concerns. Many child | | | | concern to address how the current agreement is |
| custody fights are prolonged by parents insisting their | | | | depriving your child the opportunity to build a maintain a |
| rights are being violated by their co-parent. | | | | relationship with both parents. |
| A simple piece of advice I would give all parents | | | | If you and your co-parent can take this approach to |
| dealing with custody is to exchange the term "my | | | | child custody you may be able to communicate your |
| rights" for "best interest of our child." This is the | | | | concerns in a way that is more likely to be appreciated |
| approach the courts generally take and it is amazing | | | | by your co-parent. This may not be a magic bullet that |
| how similar your rights are to the best interest of your | | | | fixes your custody problems, but it will force you to |
| child. All parents are more receptive to protecting their | | | | articulate your concerns in a fashion that may lead to |
| children than they are to protecting their co-parents | | | | less fights and more productive conversations. |
| rights. So your concerns may be better received if you | | | | This article is meant only to provide information and is |
| can phase them in a way that points out what is best | | | | not intended as legal advice. If you have questions |
| for your child. | | | | concerning your particular case you should make an |
| A common example of this is during custody | | | | appointment to talk to an attorney about your options. I |
| modifications when there is not 50/50 custody. Many | | | | would love to hear what other family law issues you |
| parents will complain the current child custody | | | | find important. Please e-mail me your questions at and I |
| agreement is unfair because it they only have 25% | | | | will try to address them in future articles. |
| custody. This exact same idea can be expressed with | | | | |