One of the most contentious issues in divorce proceedings is custody. Typically, the court prefers both parents to play an active role in the upbringing of the child. Custody arrangements usually reflect this.
That doesn’t mean that disputes can’t arise once the custody order has been set. Outlined below are some of the more common causes of custody disputes.
Disagreements over big decisions
How big decisions regarding the child’s medical treatment and education are made will largely depend on the custody arrangement. In some cases, one parent will be tasked with making these key decisions. Nonetheless, both parents often should be able to have a say. If a big decision is made without prior discussions with the other parent, this can cause disputes that potentially end up bringing the custody case back to court.
Child support
In some cases, a parent may be ordered to pay child support. Failure to pay this support could result in one parent withholding visitation. While this is unlawful, because custody and support are separate legal issues, it can happen.
New partners
Co-parents can’t be expected to live the rest of their lives without meeting anyone else. Nonetheless, introducing a new partner should be done sensitively. If a new partner spends time with the children, then the other parent may become concerned, especially if they are not fond of the new partner.
The custody arrangement itself may become a source of dispute if one parent doesn’t agree with the terms. Managing these situations can be tricky, but with legal guidance behind you, you’re more likely to work out a suitable solution.