Child Custody is often most difficult immediately following separation. This is because there is no agreement between the parties of who should get the child when. Without an agreement in place, either parent can take the child ANY time, unless they are with the other parent. This means that if the child is at school, daycare, or grandma’s house, a parent can pick the child up and keep him or her for as long as the parent wants, absent a custody order.

There are a few ways to resolve this issue.

The parents can come to an informal agreement. One parent can seek judicial determination of the issue via either a temporary or emergency custody proceeding.

Or, the parties may follow the traditional route by attending mediation then having a hearing on permanent custody.

Consult with a Greensboro child custody attorney to determine the best course of action for you.