When it comes to child custody, some parents tend to believe certain misconceptions about separation. However, you don't have to be afraid. A family lawyer will help you and your former partner handle this matter in the best way possible for your children. They will also tell you what's fair.

According to Statista, in 2020, 15.31 million American kids lived with their mothers, while 3.27 million lived with their fathers, which leads to the misconception that mothers always get the most custody. That's not exactly true, and it's time to get rid of this and other myths. Keep reading to learn about more common misconceptions.

The Mother Doesn't Always Get More Custody Time

While it used to be true that mothers would get custody more often since they normally stayed at home and cared for the children, gender roles are no longer as rigid as they were in the 1950s. It's now common for both parents to work full-time, so it's not unusual to see the court favoring a father depending on the circumstances. The judge or the family lawyer will take a look at each individual case and come up with a decision that fits the family. Not all separations have to result in disaster.

All Custody Cases Go to Trial

Another misconception when it comes to separations is that you'll need to attend court and have a trial for a final decision. That's not true at all. Most of the time, you'll be able to handle this situation with simple mediation. A family lawyer will usually advise you to settle things amicably with your ex-partner for the benefit of the children. Putting that decision up to a judge that doesn't know the case and hasn't met the children or the parents can end up being much worse. A family lawyer will connect more closely to their client and understand their needs better.

Parents With the Most Custody Can Move Away

This is another myth that needs to be debunked. The parent with more custodial time can't move away simply because they are given more access to the children. They still have to abide by the agreement, and moving away would make that difficult, even if the other parent only gets the kids one weekend a month.

Now that you know the truth about these common misconceptions, you won't have a problem deciding what to do for the sake of your children. Contact us at the South Atlanta Family Law Firm when you need help with your child custody decisions.