If you are a parent whose marriage appears to be ending, you are probably spending a lot of time thinking about issues such as divorce, custody, and child support these days. Although the process may seem like it is overwhelmingly complex, most states have reformed their family law statutes in recent years to make them simpler and more accessible to average citizens who do not have a legal background. The first step in the process involves filing a formal petition for the dissolution of marriage. At the preliminary hearing that will likely soon follow, the judge will set forth the terms of a temporary custody agreement that will dictate the child