An experienced family lawyer helps a client understand that the legal process is not always ideal in addressing a therapeutic issue like custody and parenting.

Parenting isn’t considered a competition in family law.  It is about ensuring that the children of a separating or divorcing couple get as much time with both parents.

Custody and access are words used frequently by people beginning their family law “journey” often times in ways that are not helpful to their cases.  The modern approach that courts have adapted is to try to avoid the use of these highly charged terms that give separating couples the illusion that there are winners and losers where custody of children is concerned.

An experienced family lawyer’s goal in a custody case is to ensure that their clients know that the single most important goal is creating a “winning” parenting regime that involves both parents.

Custody isn’t about the amount of time you spend with your child.  It’s about decision-making.  More and more courts are making orders these days – when folks cannot resolve their issues on their own – that respect the fact that just because a parent does not live with their child every day that they should be fully involved in the decision-making process.

An experienced child custody lawyer will help you focus on creating a parenting plan that reduces your children’s exposure to adult conflict and while ensuring both parents remain equally involved in their lives.  Social science research shows that marriage breakdown does not necessarily harm children, but ongoing exposure to conflict can do enormous emotional damage.

Book a free consultation with Kathryn L. Smithen to discuss your children’s parenting needs.