Attorneys Sarah Hink and Elizabeth Stevenson return from a hiatus on the Exit Strategy podcast to discuss why custody is often the hardest part of divorce and separation, including the emotional challenge of sharing time with children. They explain that in the North Carolina counties where they practice, courts often start from a 50/50 assumption tied to the child’s best interests and a relationship with both parents, then look for reasons to deviate such as domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health concerns, lack of involvement, or inconsistency. They cover tools like temporary arrangements, tiered custody schedules with treatment requirements, reunification therapy, custody/parent fitness evaluations, guardians ad litem, parent coordinators, and parallel parenting. They warn against false abuse claims, alienation, and putting children in the middle, noting records can follow families and even be found online later.

00:00 Welcome Back Intro

00:20 Why Custody Gets Heated

00:43 Facing 50 50 Reality

01:57 Courts Start at 50 50

02:40 Give Them a Chance

03:32 Custody Can Change

04:00 Tiered Plans and Reunification

05:35 Evaluations and Expert Help

06:55 Parallel Parenting Tools

07:31 Kids Feel the Conflict

08:57 Legal Custody Decision Making

09:42 Third Parties Can Sue

10:11 Domestic Violence Impact

11:10 False Claims Backfire

11:56 Online Records and Kids Testifying

13:23 Parental Alienation Consequences

14:08 Honesty and Realistic Outcomes

16:08 Wrap Up and Final Thoughts