Down the Gulf Coast from Louisiana, a long-running child custody saga continues to play out in the court system, yet not in family court.

A man who had been suspected of hiring a handyman to kill his ex-wife was not indicted by a grand jury for the allegations. Now, the man's attorney says the accusation was just a ploy by the ex-wife to get the upper hand in their custody case. The ex-husband, 42, had been arrested in June.

The latest twist to the case started when the handyman told police that the ex-husband had asked him to kill his ex-wife in a sailboat accident. He would have paid $500, according to the man.

The handyman is friends with the ex-wife and her current husband. He recorded a conversation he claims to have had with the ex-husband.

The attorney for the ex-husband said the grand jury couldn't have found the handyman reliable, contending he has a checkered history that includes substance abuse and mental health issues. The attorney said the grand jury didn't hear any evidence to support the charge.

The couple divorced seven years ago. Both claim the other ex-spouse has failed to follow the terms of their divorce. They have continued to squabble over child custody, and they are due in court again in about two months.

Both sides said they have emerged from the murder-for-hire case with scars. The woman said she is afraid for her safety. The man's attorney said his client, a prominent citizen in his community, has had his reputation tainted.

The case is a tragic reminder of the need for parents to put a child's best interests first when divorce happens. A divorce is never easy, but it is almost always harder on a child. Working as amicably as possible can help the process go smoother.

Source: Corpus Christi Caller Times, "Attorney: Murder-for-hire accusation concocted by ex-wife for child custody," Mark Collette, Jan. 19, 2012