Dear Carolyn,
I am a mother of girls ages six and ten. I am separated, and I have half custody. I work hard, and the girls sometimes create havoc. I spanked the six-year-old with a belt, just like my mother did me. My church belief is “spare the rod and spoil the child.” Child Protective Services showed up at my house to investigate. Should I be concerned?
~Scared
Many prospective clients come to us with the question about “what does it really take to win my custody case in North Carolina?” This raises the interesting question of what is a “win” in custody of a minor child. “Winning” means different things to different parents. For some parents, it is quality visitation. For others, it is primary responsibility for the physical well-being of the child. For some, it is fifty-fifty or bust! The goal for all parents should be to keep the best interests of the child as the polar star—a guiding light. Another valuable goal is to reduce the conflict surrounding the child in this time of change in the family. A premise of this blog is that both parents are good people and good parents. Future blogs will address unfit parents, grandparents and social services issues. Continue reading →
North Carolina Divorce Lawyers Blog