The most expensive issue to be litigated in a divorce or parentage action (formerly known as a paternity action) is child custody. It is expensive in the heart and it is expensive in your wallet. It should be a priority to both parents to reach an amicable parenting plan. If you really think about it, who is better to come up with this plan: 1) A family law judicial officer who does not have enough time to get to know either parent nor the child(ren)(This is not to say that our family law judicial officers do not care about the child(ren) nor that they do not care. The truth is quite to the opposite); or 2) Mom and Dad.

The benefits of coming to an agreement are numerous. At the top of this list would be the fact that experience tells me that children of a divorced family come out better if their mother and father can agree on a parenting plan. The children will not be subjected to the court process and will feel that their parents are there for them.

The take-away is save yourself some money and heartache. If you can agree on only one thing, let that be a workable parenting plan.