| If negotiation fails in a Detroit custody battle, you have | | | | did when their parents lived together. The new family |
| reached an impasse. An impasse is when you cannot | | | | unit consists of the children and the custodial parent, |
| come to an agreement. | | | | and what is advantageous to the unit's members as a |
| Child custody negotiation can fail for many reasons. | | | | whole, to each of its members individually, and to the |
| Perhaps you approached the negotiations in good faith, | | | | way they relate to each other and function together is |
| but the other parent had a hidden agenda-such as | | | | in the best interests of the children." Hollandsworth v. |
| wanting to hurt you or to live better at your expense. | | | | Knyzewski (2002) Arkansas No. CA 01-982. |
| Or maybe one of you was too emotional to | | | | Mental Health Resources |
| negotiate-letting feelings of insecurity or jealousy get in | | | | If you need some advice, these official sites all feature |
| the way. Or maybe one of you is simply a litigious | | | | solid information and links to other sites: |
| ex-spouse, viewing any negotiated agreement as a | | | | American Academy of Child and Adolescent |
| "giving in" or "surrendering" to the other parent. | | | | Psychiatry |
| Whatever the reason, if you still need a resolution, you | | | | Click on "Facts for Families" for more information. |
| will have to use another Detroit custody battle dispute | | | | National Institute of Mental Health |
| resolution method. These include forms of alternative | | | | This site has good information "For the Public." |
| dispute resolution-such as mediation, arbitration, and | | | | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, |
| conciliation-and litigation. | | | | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services |
| The Story Of Sheree and Keith | | | | Administration |
| Sheree and Keith had two children when they | | | | To select a topic, enter it in the search box. |
| divorced, Ethan, age four, and Katherine, age two. The | | | | American Psychological Association Consumer |
| Arkansas divorce decree specified that Sheree have | | | | Helphelping.apa.org |
| primary physical custody, but the parents shared the | | | | This "consumer" site gives short information, free |
| children equally until Ethan entered kindergarten. Sheree | | | | brochures, and a toll-free number to find a psychologist. |
| then remarried, and announced she was moving to | | | | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services |
| Tennessee. Keith responded by asking for custody of | | | | Administration |
| the children. The Chancery Court awarded him | | | | Click on "Publications" for access to directories, help |
| custody, but the Court of Appeals reversed, finding | | | | lines, publications, and more. |
| that "children belong to a different family unit than they | | | | |