Center Valley, PA asked in Divorce for Pennsylvania

Q: I want to file for divorce, but want to ensure my kids aren't manipulated into an arrangement that's not best for them.

I asked my husband for a divorce about a year ago, and he then took any "dirt" he had on me and used it to convince my boys that I was the one in the wrong, and just an overall bad person. I really do want to move on with my life, but I am scared of what he may try to do to me in terms of taking my kids who mean the world to me. They are legally old enough that they would have a say in who they were to live with, and I'm worried that if he paints me in a bad enough light, they'll choose to live with him. Any advice would be appreciated.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Cary B. Hall
Cary B. Hall
Answered
  • Norristown, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: Situations like this happen, and sounds like some family counseling would be a great idea. Never a good idea for parents to use their kids as the rope in a game of marital tug-of-war, but it unfortunately happens all the time.

If you two can't work out an amicable custody agreement, and divorce is inevitable, I suggest you just file for divorce and begin the process. The courts have mediation procedures that encourage the parties to work out their custody differences without the need for a full-blown court battle. Out-of-court mediation is sometimes effective as well.

Best of luck to you.

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