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Ceding authority: things to consider in divorce and child custody

When two people decide to end their marriage, there is a seemingly endless amount of decisions to make. Child custody matters and asset division are two of the most complex issues and can often take a significant amount of time to determine. However, even after these issues are decided, Kentucky couples who have sought divorce may find that they have to continue making decisions together when children are involved.

A recent article discusses some of the issues that people face even after their divorces are finalized. Even with joint custody, there are still many occasions when divorced couples find they have to work together. For example, they may need to agree upon certain child rearing issues or which physician or school to choose. Many people find that making these decisions after divorce is just as difficult (or even more difficult) as making them together while they were married. Thus, many find themselves wasting time and money returning to court over what some would consider simple decisions.

Many states have laws that allow feuding parents to cede decision-making control over to a court-appointed representative or to a Parenting Plan Coordinator (PPC). However, this path can be fraught with many pitfalls, and the article cautions parents to truly take a hard look at the long-term implications of this decision. One of the most important things to consider is that this allows complete strangers, who do not truly know the children, to make important and life-altering decisions for them.

Though the use of a parenting coordinator may seem like fairly simple option that will make a child custody situation easier, there are many things that those in Kentucky may want to consider before taking this step. In these situations, consulting with a family law attorney could allow someone to consider all the possibilities and implications involved in this big step. An attorney experienced in this area of law will be in the best position to discuss the state laws that are applicable to this process, and he or she can guide a client to make the best possible decision for his or her unique divorce situation.