INDUSTRY INSIGHT
FAMILY LAW
TAKING THE
HIGH ROAD IN A
CUSTODY BATTLE:
3 Reasons Why You Should
Cook & Associates
Experience, Honesty and Results
Divorce | Custody | Support
Alimony | Division of Assets/ Debts
106 Arcadia Court
9380 McKnight Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(across McKnight from the Outback)
Amanda C. Cook
412-366-8980
www.pittlawyers.com
SPONSORED CONTENT
W
hen two parents decide to divorce or separate,
tensions are often high and it is easy to
succumb to bitterness and finger‑pointing. But,
there are many reasons to resist. Here are three:
1) Fighting with an Ex is Not in the Best Interest of
the Children: Kids are already going through a traumatic
experience. Their home is being divided, if not moved. Their
schedules are being flipped upside down and life as they know
it will never be the same. However, children are resilient and
can often transition well IF their parents do not expose them
to too much conflict. Do your best to work out an acceptable
physical custody schedule that works for both parties. Try to
work together to make all important decisions on behalf of
the children and update the other parent with any relevant
information. Accommodate requests for changes to the custody
schedule. Don’t allow the children to hear you or your friends
and family speak negatively about the other parent. Be kind.
And, do all of these things even if the other parent is not doing
them. Remember, this is not about winning or getting the other
parent back for his or her bad behavior. This is about your kids.
You cannot control what the other parent does or says, but you
can control your own actions. In the end, your children will be
better for it.
2) Fighting with an Ex is Not in Your Own Best Interest: You
too are going through a traumatic experience. Fighting is only
going to make it worse. Try to set aside whatever it was that got
you to the place that you decided to separate. Put the past in the
past and realize that you are going to have to find a way to work
together.
3) Fighting with an Ex Can Hurt You in Court: Courts are well
aware of the damage that can be done to children when their
parents fight. The level of conflict and ability to cooperate with
the other parent is a statutory factor to be considered by judges
when making custody decisions in Pennsylvania. Though there
are many other factors to be considered, all things being equal, it
is not hard to imagine a judge choosing the parent who is doing
his or her best to calm tensions and work with the other parent
over the parent who is creating conflict and escalating tensions.
This Industry Insight was written by attorney Amanda C. Cook. Ms. Cook is a Senior Associate at Cook & Associates located in McCandless Township. For over a decade, she has
provided her clients with compassionate representation during the often‑difficult divorce, support and custody processes. Ms. Cook is also a certified mediator. Other areas of
practice for Cook & Associates include estate planning and probate, real estate law and business law. For a free initial consultation, please call Ms. Cook today at 412.366.8980 or
visit the website at www.pittlawyers.com.
ROSS TOWNSHIP
❘
SUMMER 2019
7