When you’re dealing with a custody dispute after you’ve divorced, there are a few different things you can do to resolve the problem. You have options like taking your ex-spouse back to court to modify custody or asking to hold them in contempt for withholding custody. You may also consider going through mediation together to work out problems that keep coming up. Finally, there is the option of reflecting and seeing if you can be more flexible with the specific issue that has arisen.
Getting through a custody dispute requires you and your ex-spouse to be willing to coparent together to come up with solutions. This won’t always work, but you do have options to resolve your disputes regardless.
- Going back to court
One way to resolve disputes is to return to court. If your ex is withholding custody or not meeting their obligations, it’s reasonable to go back to court to ask for a custody modification. You may ask that their time with your child is limited because they withheld custody from you. You might ask that they have supervision because your child reported going without food during the last few visits. It’s up to you to make your request, but be sure you can back up any claims with evidence.
- Considering mediation
Sometimes, it’s a good idea for coparents to consider mediation. You could go to mediation to work out a solution to problems that keep coming up, or you could opt to go just to learn how to work together more effectively.
- Thinking about your own impact on a dispute
Sometimes, especially in the heat of the moment, people say things they don’t mean or double down on their choices. Flexibility is an important part of working together with a coparent. Reflect to see if you were being reasonable with your requests or with your decision to argue against something your ex wants for your child. If you can be flexible, see if that will help resolve the dispute in a positive way.
Child custody issues can be tough sometimes, but there are ways to resolve them. Approaching custody from a reasonable angle and knowing when to involve the law will help.
