Child custody can be a challenging issue

The decision to divorce is seldom made lightly in Oklahoma. When marriage vows are made it is with the intent that the couple will remain together, raise a family and enjoy old age together. When this becomes an unrealistic possibility, the decision to end a marriage can be a very difficult one. It can be made all the more difficult when there are children involved and child custody becomes an issue that must be solved.

In reaching an agreement regarding children it is important to keep the children’s best interests at heart. It has been shown that children do best when good relationships with both parents are maintained. In order to facilitate that outcome, it is important that parents remain civil to each other when talking to their children and also when talking to each other in the presence of the kids. It is a good idea to remain geographically close to each other so that family routines are disrupted as minimally as possible. This is important for shared custody arrangements where every attempt should be made to keep kids in the same school and close to their friends.

Financial issues can be a little bit difficult and it should come as no surprise to anyone that raising children is expensive. Shared custody also means shared expenses and it’s important that both parents hold up their end. All of this contributes to what is in the best interest of the child, which is the court’s, and typically the parents’, main concern.

It is not easy to decide to divorce but it is widely believed that staying together for the sake of the children is not necessarily in the young ones’ best interests. If parents believe they will be happier apart this may well benefit the children as well. A person in Oklahoma who is considering divorce and has concerns regarding child custody could benefit from a conversation with an experienced family law attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can review a person’s situation and offer advise as to what options are available regarding child custody.