After a Georgia divorce, it is a challenge to make the custody agreement work under the best of circumstances. You will find it even tougher when the children are not happy with the custody arrangements. When the children want to live with a different parent, there are numerous potential minefields that you need to deal with carefully.
The children need to be heard
You must strike a balance between giving the children their say and making sure that each parent is able to see the kids. However, the first thing that you need to do is to take a deep breath and listen. Children may end up changing their minds if they feel that their concerns have been heard. Accordingly, you should look at it as the beginning of a dialogue. You or the other parent may be able to make changes as a result of the conversation.
Do not take it personally
It is important to remember not to take it personally because it may only make the situation worse. If possible, it is best to bring the other parent into the conversation. At the same time, you need to be careful not to disparage the other parent because that can land you in trouble. Take some time and do not rush to judgment. You still have the ability to salvage the situation. If it is you that the children want to live with, you still need to be careful to avoid inflaming the other parent.
There are some possible legal difficulties when the children want to change residence. You should consult a child custody attorney to learn whether the legal process can help you. The attorney could also advise you on how to handle the situation in a way that complies with the custody agreement. The last thing that you want to be facing is an accusation in court that you have broken the terms of a court order.
