Custody agreements are some of the most important ** and most fought-over ** parts of a divorce. Parents want what’s best for their kids, but when emotions are running high, it’s easy to make decisions that feel good in the moment but cause bigger problems down the line. I see it all the time in my practice: rushed schedules, vague promises, and unrealistic expectations that land families right back in court.

Here are the five biggest mistakes I see, and how to avoid them.

The Pressure No One Talks About

Being the breadwinner isn’t just a steady stream of promotions and pats on the back. It’s living under constant pressure to perform, year after year, because your entire family depends on it. It’s missing your kid’s soccer game because a client demanded a last-minute meeting. It’s taking a red-eye flight for work and rolling straight into a parent-teacher conference half-awake. It’s the 2 a.m. email grind because the deal won’t close itself. I know – I have been there myself!