Child Custody and Support for Unmarried Parents

Relationships may end, but parenting does not. Child custody and child support decisions will need to be made by unmarried parents who are separating, just as they are by divorcing parents.

When it comes to making these decisions, unmarried parents have options. You don’t have to spend a day in court or wait months for a pre-trial hearing. Unmarried parents have the option of arriving at negotiated child custody and child support agreements using mediation or collaborative law.

These processes allow parents to meet outside of court, at a time convenient for them, and in the privacy of a meeting room (not a public courtroom).  The best part is, you make the important decisions that will affect your life, not a judge who does not know you.

I’m Quincy child custody mediator Carolan Hardy, Esq. I help mothers, fathers and second parents with child custody, visitation and child support matters. As a Massachusetts family lawyer trained in both mediation and collaborative law, I can help you arrive at important decisions without bringing your case to court.

Child Custody Decisions

Parents need to decide where the children will live and who will care for the child, whether one parent will stay home or whether the child will go to daycare. This decision may also factor in to where the child attends school and what activities the child can attend.

Does your child have special needs?  Is your child on an I.E.P. in school?  How will both parents participate in school meetings?  How can both parents assist with the child’s schooling, now and in the future?

Parents will need to create a parenting schedule with as much detail as the parents feel necessary. The parenting plan will need to define which parent has the children when, including school vacations, holidays and summer vacations.

Child Support Decisions

Parents will also need to decide how to support their child. A child support worksheet will need to be attached to the agreement if the parties have children. Parents can always decide to pay more, or may ask the Court to approve a deviation for less if a parent has to travel from another state or country to spend parenting time with their children.

Other financial issues will need to be decided

  • Who will provide the child with medical insurance? How will uninsured medical expenses be paid?
  • Who will pay for after-school and summer activities?
  • If the child is older, is he or she thinking of attending college? Who will pay for that?

Mediation and collaborative law allow you to reach agreements on these and other issues without the drama, time and cost of litigation. However, both parties must agree to use an alternative dispute resolution method. If not, you will have to bring your case to court.

Learn more about how I can assist you in crafting a child custody agreement or parenting plan. Contact Divorce and Family Mediation Services or call 617-750-9709 to schedule a free initial consultation. From my offices in Quincy and Hingham, I represent clients in Plymouth, Norfolk, Middlesex and Suffolk Counties.