The First Rule of Divorce - Get a Qualified Family Lawyer

There are a lot of unpleasant events that can turn your life upside down, including an unexpected divorce and the ensuing child custody or child support battle. Consulting a family lawyer before things get out of hand can make the difference between an amicable parting and a prolonged nightmare.

No one goes into a marriage planning to get divorced. And when a couple has a child together they are doing more than cementing their relationship, they are also creating a bond for the life that child. With this said, it is no small wonder that when a relationship such as this shatters, the ensuing shrapnel can inflict a great deal of harm and long-term damage to everyone involved, especially the children. This is one of the reasons it is important for both parties to engage a family lawyer to represent them and put the best interest of their children ahead of any of the other common concerns in divorces.

You cannot be the good parent your children expect you to be when you are making decisions that are not in their best interest, or you are using your children as weapons against your soon to be former spouse. Sometimes it is helpful to have a family lawyer guide you through the divorce and child custody process in order to give you a reality check about what to expect and what your soon to be former spouse can also expect to occur.

Your family lawyer will probably advise you that it is in your best interest and the best interest of your children to agree to mediation with the assistance of your attorney to try to work out a child custody arrangement that you and your soon to be former spouse both agree to. If mediation fails the next step of the process can become quite lengthy and expensive as you battle it out in a court room. And often times when a judge has to make the final decision on child custody arrangements, neither party walks out with what they want. Couples who end up in court battles are often too caught up in their emotional angst to make rational decisions and ignore the sound legal advice of their attorneys.

If you feel you are on the cusp of getting divorce or the process has already begun and you been served with divorce papers, consult with your family lawyer before you take any steps or make any decisions. For example in some states if you move out of the home during the course of your separation, you may unwittingly be relinquishing your rights to live in that home and to maintain child custody. Often times the judge will award custody to the parent who has stayed in the family home in order to get the children as much stability as possible.

Talking to a lawyer early on can only help you as your divorce progresses, and ensure your rights are protected as well as the best interest of your children is upheld.