What will the judge do about child custody?
The court will try to get the parents to agree on a schedule. The court may send you to “mediation” to work out a plan. “Mediation” means a trained, professional, neutral person, who tries to help both spouses come to an agreement. The court keeps a list of approved family court mediators. The parents share the price for the mediator’s time and effort. The price is based on the parents’ income. You and your husband or wife can submit a parenting plan together (called a “joint parenting” plan). [You can get the Parenting Plan form elsewhere on this web site, or on the web site of the WV Supreme Court of Appeals.] The judge will review the agreed plan to assure that it is fair and workable. The Parenting Plan should explain where the children are going to be at all times. The whole schedule should include holidays, school, and summer vacation. The judge decides if it will be best for your children. The judge will attach your Parenting Plan to the divorce order. The judge can change the P
