Modern Rigging: Getting hands in front of body

Howdy, 

I'm trying to use modern rigging to animate a drawing, but the hands keep ending up behind the body. Is there a way I can get those hands in front and keep them in the front ( It does this thing where it'll stay in front in one frame and then go right back behind in the next one)? Or should I try it the old fashioned way? Any advice would be extremely helpful.