Divorce is quite common in the United States. Over 73% of the people who get divorced each year cite a lack of commitment as the cause. Nearly 60% of recently divorced people claim too much arguing was the cause of their failed marriage. Going through a divorce can be one of the most emotional and stressful experiences you ever have. If children are involved, the amount of stress this experience produces will increase substantially. 

Ironing out the details of a child custody agreement will be much easier with the help of a divorce attorney. These legal professionals will be able to accompany you to a mediation where the details of the custody agreement will be discussed. If you are trying to prepare for child custody mediation, consider the following tips. 

Take Time to Gather Relevant Evidence

The first time you meet with your divorce attorney, they will ask a series of questions regarding the ideal custody arrangement you want. They will also ask you about any history of abuse in your ex-spouse’s past. If you have a concern that your ex-spouse is an unfit parent, you will have to produce evidence to substantiate these claims. 

Having documentation like old police reports can help you during the mediation process. Without this documentation, the claims you make about your ex-spouse’s violent past will be viewed as hearsay. Your lawyer will be able to give you information about what type of documentation you need to prove your claims. 

Make a List of Your Concerns

Finding ways to make a divorce easier on your children is crucial. This experience can be quite traumatic, which is why you need to maintain a sense of normalcy. As you start to prepare for the child custody mediation, you need to consider any concerns you may have. These concerns will usually revolve around the amount of time you get to spend with your child or concerns about your ex-spouse moving out of state. 

Making a list of the concerns you have is crucial when trying to prepare for a mediation appointment. By vocalizing these concerns, you can start a dialogue with your ex-spouse and their lawyer. While you won’t be able to get everything you want during mediation, you will have some success. Knowing when to compromise and when to double-down will be much easier with the help of a lawyer. 

Avoid Being Stubborn

Failing to be flexible and accommodating can lead to a child custody mediation session going nowhere. Using this mediation as a way to get back at your ex-spouse is a horrible idea. You need to think about what is best for your child when attempting to work out a custody agreement. Having a positive attitude can make the mediation process less stressful. 

Getting the Right Custody Agreement is Challenging

Are you involved in a child custody battle? If so, contact the Hedtke Law Group to find out how we can help you get through this difficult experience.