| Step 1 | | | | outcome you want. |
| Realize that the majority of custody cases can and | | | | Step 5 |
| should be settled through negotiation and mediation. | | | | Listen to your attorney. Do every single thing he or she |
| Contact the Academy of Family Mediators for the | | | | tells you to do, even if it causes you inconvenience or |
| name of a mediator in your town who can help you | | | | discomfort. Your attorney has had years of |
| achieve a settlement. Whenever cases are settled, | | | | experience dealing with situations like yours and knows |
| children tend to be able to cope better and there are | | | | what to do. |
| fewer returns to courtroom later on to try and make | | | | Step 6 |
| modifications towards the custody situation. | | | | Pay your attorney. If you do not pay your attorney, he |
| Step 2 | | | | or she may ask to be removed from the case. Even if |
| Know that there are cases that cannot be settled, | | | | the judge does not allow this, the attorney will |
| either because of abuse or neglect or simply due to | | | | complete your case with a lack of enthusiasm. |
| extreme personalities. | | | | Step 7 |
| Step 3 | | | | Document everything. Keep a record of visitation. |
| Realize that if you have one of those cases, you need | | | | Maintain a record of what you do when together with |
| to find a good family law attorney. You may have to | | | | your child. Jot down any kind of problems you have |
| pay more than you'd like, but it is necessary. | | | | with the other parent. Keep track of the money you |
| Step 4 | | | | spend on the child, the locations you take the child, and |
| Tell your attorney everything, even your secrets that | | | | the actual peaceful at-home time spent with the child. |
| you want no one to know. Be sure to tell your | | | | Make recordkeeping your second job. You want to be |
| attorney all of the facts about the other parent. Leave | | | | able to prove to the court that you're the best parent |
| nothing out and do not make anything up. Your | | | | and that the other parent is not as great as you. Your |
| attorney has to have all of the facts to achieve the | | | | word on this is not enough. |