When parents can’t agree on what is best for their children’s welfare during a divorce situation, a family court judge will decide for them. In Michigan a judge may ask some very pointed questions when it comes to child custody cases and each parent should be prepared to answer directly and truthfully. Based on responses to these questions, along with other evidence, a judge will rule on what he or she believes to be in the best interests of the children.

Prepare for it to get personal

A judge will want to know exactly where each parent sits financially. A parent must be able to meet the needs of the children such as giving them nutritional food and proper shelter. With this in mind, child support issues may also be determined at this time which will also require the parents to be fully transparent with their finances.

The type of custody arrangement

Each parent will need to tell the judge which type of custody he or she is seeking. Each parent may be wanting sole custody or joint custody. Most judges prefer a joint custody situation that allows the children to have relationships with each parent. If sole custody is on the agenda, each parent must be prepared to offer evidence as to why it would be in the best interests of the children that the other parent did not have custody. The judge will also want to know what type of arrangement is currently in existence and how the parents communicate about decisions regarding their children.

One of the most important decisions in a divorce situation is that of child custody. When a family court judge in California is making decisions regarding children, it can wreak emotional havoc on parents. Each parent may find the process less stressful by obtaining independent legal advice from an attorney experienced in family law. It may be one of the best things a parent can do to get through the proceedings.