Just the Facts: Respect

by josephnivin 

In this “Just the Facts” series, I’ve already covered Child Support, Custody Cases, and When Mediation Doesn’t Work. I’m now sharing the most powerful lesson — and also the simplest — for the final installment of this series: Follow the Golden Rule. Treat others how you want to be treated and also insist that your needs, and those of your child, are respected.

Remember that your children will always see your behavior as acceptable, so don’t do anything that you’d tell your children not to do. Treat your child’s other parent the way that you would expect someone else to treat your parents.

This doesn’t translate into, “be a doormat.” Just don’t let anyone make you do things that make you feel ashamed of yourself.

If you find yourself in court, make it as boring as possible. Don’t throw stuff at the wall and hope that something sticks. The less that’s going on, the cheaper and less stressful the process will be. That’s because there will be fewer issues for the attorneys to fight about, and as a result, fewer issues that you’ll have to pay your attorney to fight about.  It will also mean fewer court appearances to attend because there will be fewer issues that the court will have to handle.

If you’re the custodial parent and the other parent simply will not support your child without a court order, then go to court. If you have an order of support, and the other parent doesn’t pay it even though they can, then go to court to enforce the order. People do not have the right to ignore their obligations to support their children.

If you are in a situation where the other parent is not cooperating with you, then an attorney can help you to minimize the animosity, the emotional toll, and the expense of litigation. If you are fortunate enough to have a co-parent who is willing to work with a mediator, then attorneys can advise you during the process, help you to resolve issues of custody and support without litigation, and work with you to minimize the risk that you will have to go to court in the future.

I wrote this “Just the Facts” series from my heart. I care deeply about families and aim to help them with their conflict. I hope this series has eased concerns or answered questions you may have had. Do you have any other questions or concerns about your family matter? Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (347) 642-0376 or schedule a consultation via our website.

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