Preparing For A Child Custody Case A child custody case could be draining for the heart, for the mind and for the soul. This is not only on the side of the parents but of the child as well. But since this is inevitable when separation or divorce happens, parents could not do anything but to prepare themselves for the battle head on. If it was proven to be done on purpose, the other parent will have grounds to have the child s custody. The judge will first require the couple to work out things with the help of a mediator. Can a custody arrangement be changed if it doesn t work? Parents can change a custody arrangement if it doesn t work, provided they come up with a new plan and ask the judge to make it official. Until issues concerning guilt and emotional stability are settled, parents are not advised to file for a child custody case. Dealing with outcomes Parents might not be aware of this but filing for a child custody case will have so many effects on the child more than they could imagine. Since the child is the center of the entire proceeding, he or she will feel the burden of the hearing more than anybody else. 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. However, this belief has been contested by many fathers who think they are equally capable of raising their children. In fact, the courts have gradually recognized that fathers, too, deserve custody rights over their children. According to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau, 15 percent of custody rights were awarded to fathers in 2004. Unmarried mothers and child custody In the case of unmarried mothers, most of their battles are often centered on the child s financial support from the father. Usually, paternity finding by a court is required before a father is forced to pay child support. Without it, it is impossible to enforce. On the other hand, voluntary child support payment from the unmarried father without the paternity finding is on shaky grounds.