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Nelson & Booth |
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What happens if there is a dispute between the parents
about what is best for the child? |
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Mediation. If there are any
issues regarding custody or visitation that cannot be worked out between the parents,
a “mediation” conference with a neutral mediator may be requested to see if
you and your spouse can work out an agreement about the child. Home Study or Child Custody Investigation. If mediation does not
bring about an agreement on disputed custody and visitation issues, the court
may order a “home study.” A home study is an investigation into various
aspects of the home life of the parties’ child. Included in a home study may
be interviews with the parties, friends, neighbors, relatives and, on some
occasions, the children themselves. When the investigation is complete, a
home study report is prepared and submitted to the court. This report is
confidential and the parties generally cannot have access to the report. Trial. If, after mediation,
there are still issues regarding custody or visitation that cannot be worked
out between the parents, a “trial” will be scheduled. Testimony and evidence
is presented at the trial to the judge assigned to a case showing what would
be in the best interests of the child. Although the judge will have benefit
of any child custody investigation that has been performed, the court will
make its own decision about what is in the best interests of the child at the
conclusion of the trial. |
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NELSON & BOOTH is a law firm engaged exclusively in a family
law practice emphasizing complex domestic relations actions, including
divorce and determination of parentage, property division, child custody,
parenting time, spousal and child support and representation of parents in
cases of international child abduction. The attorneys at NELSON & BOOTH are licensed to practice
only in the |
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E-mail: Ronald W. Nelson or Joseph W. Booth nelson & booth attorneys at law |
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Disclaimer | Copyright © 1999-2003 Nelson & Booth | Colophon |
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