Parents involved in a litigation regarding custody and parenting time should remember that a judge is a stranger to your case. Parents are in the best position to know what will serve their children’s best interests. I am not the first attorney to advise clients to encourage settlement. Abraham Lincoln wrote in his notes before speaking to a group of young lawyers:
“Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser – in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.” The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume II, “Notes for a Law Lecture” (July 1, 1850?), p. 81.
I am sure that there are many lawyers who would be more than happy to take large sums of money from you to litigate your case, but is that really what’s needed? Have you tried every avenue of settlement? Or is there a solution nearby that could work?
I agree with Abraham Lincoln and recognize my superior opportunity to make peace and to be a good man. A compromise will allow you to control the outcome of many of the questions you will have when co-parenting children and is usually better for everyone involved, including the most important, your children.