Robin and Chris have divorced and each wants full custody of their son

QUESTION

Robin and Chris have divorced and each wants full custody of their son. What legal options are open to them at this point?

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER

Answer: Robin and Chris have three options. (1) They could go to mediation, in which a neutral third party listens to both sides of the dispute and makes suggestions, and then Robin and Chris would come to a mutual decision. (2) They could go to arbitration, in which a neutral third party listens to both sides of the dispute and makes a decision that will be binding to Robin and Chris. Or (3) they could go to trial court.
Explanation: Robin and Chris have three options. (1) They could go to mediation, which is the process in which a neutral third party, a mediator (a lawyer, retired judge, or specialist in a field related to the case), listens to both sides of the dispute, makes suggestions, and then encourages the parties to agree on a solution. (2) They could go to arbitration, the process in which a neutral third party, an arbitrator (often a retired judge), listens to both parties in a dispute and makes a decision that the parties have agreed will be binding on them. Or (3) they could take their civil case to trial court.