Parents’ mistakes may worsen child custody situation in divorce

The divorce process usually is not a pleasant experience for the two parties involved. However, children can also find the ordeal to be irksome, particularly when the parents cannot agree on how to address child custody. Here is a glimpse at a couple of harmful mistakes that parents in Massachusetts often make when faced with decisions related to child custody during divorce.

First, it is not uncommon for a parent to refer to a shared child as his or her child rather than acknowledging that the child also belongs to the other parent. Divorce sometimes happens because two parents no longer love one another, and they may not agree 100 percent on how to rear the child. Still, the reality is that both biological parents generally have the right to seek custody or visitation, so this must be taken into consideration during the divorce proceeding.

Also, divorcing spouses might tell the untruth about each other to paint each other in a negative light. However, their shared child is too young to understand that they are being lied to. This can quickly tarnish the child’s relationship with each parent, which can have long-lasting repercussions.

The ideal situation when two parents are getting divorced is for them to decide for themselves how to handle child custody and visitation at the negotiation table or during mediation sessions. This will allow them to avoid further court intrusion and thus may lead to a more amicable divorce for the entire family. An attorney in Massachusetts can help a divorcing parent seek an outcome that is personally favorable while still considering the best interests of his or her child.