Divorce can be incredibly stressful, especially when children are involved. Many couples say that child custody issues are the hardest part of a divorce. Everyday life and family dynamics can change greatly when a couple divorces, and it can be difficult to have to split holidays and vacations with your child's other parent. However, it is important to remember that child custody orders are made in the best interest of the children. If you're going through a divorce, make sure that you avoid these common child custody mistakes.

Not Hiring a Child Custody Attorney

Child custody orders involve a lot more than determining how a child's time will be split between parents. There are issues related to physical custody and legal custody. Other things that will need to be decided include which parent will be in charge of making educational, religious, and medical decisions for the child. If you are divorcing your spouse, it is always in your best interest to hire an experienced child custody attorney to assist you. A child custody attorney will work diligently to ensure that the child custody order that is put into place is in the best interest of the child and also fair to both parents.

Moving Out of the House

When a marriage is unraveling, it can be very difficult to be in the same house as your soon-to-be ex-spouse. But, until the divorce is finalized, you may want to avoid moving out of the house. If you move out and leave your family behind, it can look bad in the eyes of the family court. Moving out and leaving your children with your spouse can send the message that he or she is the primary caregiver, which can have a negative effect when the court makes a decision on the child custody order.

Parental Alienation

If you're getting a divorce, there is a good chance that you may have very negative feelings and emotions towards your spouse. However, do not make the mistake of putting your children in the middle or attempting to alienate them from their other parent. It is essential to ensure that your children are able to communicate and spend ample time with their other parent. Do not bad mouth your spouse or try to make him or her look bad in front of your kids. Acting out of anger will only hurt your children in the long run, and can cause serious psychological damage. 

For more information or questions, contact a child custody attorney.