Fathers are less likely to win custody of their children because of the notion that mothers are better caretakers of children. About 20 percent of cases award joint custody, in which both parents enjoy an equal amount of custody rights over their children. In this child custody arrangement, parents are allowed by the courts to divide for themselves the custody rights as long as neglect or abuse is not involved. But since it is inevitable to go through the process of child custody when a couple separates and file for divorce, you should stop dwelling on the past and look forward to a new life with your child. Looking forward to a brighter day ahead of you and your child will give you the courage to go on fighting for your right as a parent and for your child s right to have a better life under your guardianship and care. Also, if one has a positive outlook in life, he or she will be able to turn failures into successes by seizing each opportunity that knock on the door. Although this might be simple, many people are still having difficulties in achieving this because of so many factors such as personality, upbringing, and ways of managing stress as well as failure. Knowing in yourself that this is something that needs to be done for the betterment of the child will fuel your drive to fight for your child s custody. Experts lawyers and psychologists agree that parents should be one hundred percent physically, emotionally and psychologically fit before filing a child custody case since this will require utmost attention and focus on the subject matter. The next important step in filing for a child custody case is finding a court in the county that you are in that are fit to handle various custody cases which is the family court. You can find a simple list from the government guide usually listed down on the phone book. For those who still don t know which court they should call, they may ask the county clerk's office or even the people in the local area such as the mayor s clerk since they know which courts accept child custody cases. Most states allow parents to have joint legal custody of their children, so both parents can make decisions involving the child. The only problem with legal custody is that conflicts and misunderstandings may arise when the upbringing principles of parents clash. This conflict can be detrimental to their child.