Divorce is tough on everyone involved. However, a separation can be especially difficult for the children. If the two parents can agree on a custody arrangement that is fair, the court will in most cases approve it. But if the couple walks into a Nebraska family law court seeking a decision from the judge, the overriding standard applied in arriving at a final order is the child’s best interests.
The court will begin with the perspective that neither parent has a superior right to custody over the other. From there, judges will employ any relevant information to determine the best way to create a safe, nurturing and stable environment for the child. Family relationship counselors overwhelmingly agree that absent some evidence of a neglectful or abusive parent, a child who experiences a joint custody living arrangement does better than one in a sole custody household.
Other than the benefits joint custody provides for the child’s academic, social and emotional health in the immediate, studies have shown that children who do not establish an early relationship with a parent are less likely to do so later in life. There may be legitimate reasons why many mothers have primary custody, but fathers should realize the importance of establishing and maintaining a close bond with their children from the very beginning.
Child custody arrangements and visitation rights become important in establishing good relationships with children. A family law attorney can offer counsel and advice on these issues and other important decisions that divorcing couples are faced with.
