In Colorado, where the last vestiges of the Old West are a matter of pride, folks can be tempted to seal a deal with nothing more than a handshake. When it comes to child custody matters, however, informal arrangements can be fraught with pitfalls. Child custody is a matter that you will likely have to work with for several years. Over a period that long, even the best relationship between ex-spouses can become strained and result in a child custody dispute.
It is for this reason that having a formal custody arrangement is in the best interests of the child, as well as the parents. If a dispute or disagreement arises, you can look back at the custodial agreement for clarification and not rely on memory or what you think is correct. Like the old saying, “good fences make good neighbors,” good custody arrangements make good parents.
Having a formalized custody arrangement does not mean that the agreement must remain exactly the same throughout the duration of the children’s minority. If you want to change who the custodial parent is or amend the joint custody arrange – or any other alterations – custody arrangements can be modified. And after modification, you will once again have a formal document to which you can refer back.
Good post-marital relationships can become strained and give rise to child custody disputes. When you are faced with the stress of divorce – even in the case of a perfectly amicable dissolution – the aid of a seasoned family law attorney can help to ensure that you are getting the best results for yourself and your children. Visit our firm’s dedicated child custody page to learn about parental responsibilities and how we can help you with your custody matter.
