Divorce is an intricate process that presents a myriad of challenges, none of which are as challenging as the complexities associated with creating a custody arrangement. It can be a burden to divide up your assets and property, but finding a way to split or share time with your children can prove to be particularly hard, as they are the most important people in your life. It may feel like finding a path forward is impossible, and you’re likely overwhelmed with emotion.
It’s crucial to remember that even though your separation is difficult for you and your spouse, it is just as tough, if not more so, for your children. In addition to the emotional implications of divorce, it will also result in a physical change in your children’s day-to-day lives. Depending on their ages, they may struggle to understand the reason for your split.
Triangle Smart Divorce will handle your custody case with the utmost care and attention. Our Hillsborough custody lawyers will help lessen the impact of divorce and custody matters on your children’s lives and your own. No matter what the circumstances of your situation are, you can trust that we will put your children’s well-being at the forefront of your custody arrangement. Call today to request a consultation.
What Are The Different Types Of Custody?
Because every child is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all formula for custody arrangements. What worked for friends or family members in similar situations might not work for you. That’s why it’s important to enlist the help of an experienced custody attorney who can get to know you and your children so they can create an arrangement that will suit their needs best.
In the state of North Carolina, there are two types of custody: legal and physical. Legal custody refers to which parent will make important decisions on behalf of their children when it comes to medical care, education, religion, and more. Physical custody refers to which parent children reside with the majority of the time.
Both legal and physical custody can be a responsibility that is shared jointly or one parent can have sole custody. We typically see parents share joint legal custody. Physical custody arrangements vary and are dependent on every child’s individual needs.
Mediation
If you and your co-parent have an amicable relationship, mediation is a process we highly recommend for custody, and it’s a requirement in North Carolina unless there are extenuating circumstances in which the process wouldn’t be appropriate. Mediation allows you and your co-parent to retain control of your children’s future, offering you a collaborative environment to make decisions in their best interest. This is the best-case scenario because no one knows your children better than you do, especially not a judge who’s never met your children and doesn’t understand their needs.
It’s important to note that custody arrangements aren’t permanent. Therefore if you, your co-parent, or your children, experience a significant shift in your life (as many often do), an attorney can help you modify your arrangement to fit your current circumstances.
High Conflict Custody
When it comes to creating a strategy to ensure your children have a chance at the best possible future, we prefer to take the high road. This creates a much more civil environment for your children and is generally better for their overall well-being. However, civility isn’t a possibility for every co-parenting duo. If you’re divorcing someone who is highly combative, has a personality disorder, disagrees with all of your viewpoints, or has a history of abuse or neglect, we have the experience necessary to protect you and your children, and help you reach a favorable outcome.
How Triangle Smart Divorce Can Help You
If you’ve made the decision to divorce and need to create a custody arrangement, we’re here to guide you through every step. We can explain your options, protect your parental rights, and answer any questions you have so that you can have peace of mind. Call Triangle Smart Divorce today to request a consultation and discuss your goals and next steps.
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What Our Clients Say
There aren’t enough words to express what Ashley Fillippeli and her team have done for me… With calm focus, sharp legal skill, and an extraordinary amount of heart, Ashley helped me find my child… That moment would not have happened without Ashley, and my child would not have a father without her help.
Baseer Maroof
Triangle Smart Divorce is the best family law firm in the area, and I am so grateful to have had them on my side. Lisa, Diane, Lauren, Jessica and the whole TSD team were very knowledgeable, thorough and professional. They did an excellent job getting great results for me and my kids during very challenging circumstances.
Book Fanatic
Lauren did an excellent job representing me throughout this entire process. From start to finish, I felt confident trusting her guidance and decisions, and I always knew I was in capable hands. She was professional, knowledgeable, and supportive every step of the way. I would highly recommend Lauren and this law firm to anyone going through a custody battle.
Brian Sechrest
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Frequently Asked Questions
A divorce lawyer may seem like an extra expense if both parties agree on the big decisions, but the details of a divorce can be complex and hard to navigate without an expert, and getting the agreement properly written ensures that everyone has the security and clarity they need to move forward with their lives. It’s better to do it right the first time than have to keep going back and fixing mistakes. And, in some cases, you may not be able to fix your mistakes.
You should ask a potential divorce lawyer about their prior experience with cases like yours, their approach to negotiations when couples reach a disagreement, and their personal success rate in arriving at a resolution through negotiation and/or mediation.
You cannot have one lawyer serve both parties in a divorce. This would be a conflict of interest. It’s incredibly important that each party feels their individual needs are represented and voiced, and that cannot be done with a single lawyer serving as the representative for both parties.

