One of the most important, of course, is the decision on who will get primary custody of the children. In most cases, the divorcing parents can come into a mutual agreement. Setting aside their differences, and with the help of their respective attorneys, they arrive on a shared custody. Basically, they would agree to a 50/50 legal as well as the physical custody of the children. If you are one of those parents who are having a hard time to get started on filing for a child custody case because of mixed emotions and guilty feelings, then the best way would be to settle all your ill feelings first. Find it in yourself that this is something inevitable and is really beyond your control. (TIP: Get a copy from Sourcebooks as well as in Nolo Press that regularly publish state-specific books and also visit Findlaw.com if you need more and updated pieces of information regarding the child custody laws of the state that you belong to.) Aside from reading books and visiting online sites that offer free information on child custody cases, it would be advisable to talk to somebody an immediate family member, a friend or a neighbor who went through the same things. Experts say that for parents who lose the custody of their children to cope fast with the depression, they should start by not losing hope. What they can do is to research their legal rights if they believe that the court made an error by not giving the child s custody under their name. They can make an appeal and hope that somehow, the ruling can be overturned. Temporary and permanent custody A temporary custody agreement often becomes permanent. It costs tens of thousands of dollars. Moreover, it can last several months to over a year of being tied up in court if it shall be modified caused by objections from either parent. For a parent, it is wise to be fully satisfied to a temporary child custody agreement in the first place. Smooth sailing child custody proceeding Parents who are into a battle for their children s custody should be ready head on to face the challenges of this unfaithful experience. They should also be ready to face all the challenges and difficulties to emerge as winners. Experts say that one important key in ensuring that any parent will be victorious in any child custody case is by being armed with as much information needed.