In a divorce, one of the most emotional aspects involves the children. Child custody is typically something that both parents want. They love their children very much and will do what it takes to get custody.
This often means parents will engage in nasty court battles that involve badmouthing and other behaviors that could harm the child. This type of behavior is detrimental. If you want to get custody of your child, then you need to know how to win the battle. Being cooperative is the way to go. Here are some other tips for winning your child custody case.
Focus on Your Child’s Best Interests
Many parents get so caught up in trying to “win” a child custody battle that they lose sight of what should be the main goal: determining what is in the child’s best interests. This often means having both parents in your child’s life. It’s often best to work out a fair parenting time schedule that gives your kids quality time with both parents.
Be Informed About Your Kids
Some parents want custody of their children but barely know anything about them. If you want to be a custodial parent, you need to know the details about your kids’ lives. What are their favorite foods? Who is their teacher? Who is their best friend? What are their favorite hobbies? Do they have any allergies or medical conditions? Judges want to see that you have some sort of bond with your child.
Be Cooperative With the Other Parent
Judges want parents to cooperate with each other because that is often what is best for the children. They do not look favorably on badmouthing and parental alienation. They want parents to at least be civil toward each other. They want them to support their child’s relationship with the other parent. A collaborative co-parenting relationship will win you brownie points with the judge, so avoid being combative.
Address Any Issues
The courts will put your life under a microscope to see if you are a good parent and should be awarded custody. This means they will look for any reason to show you are not a good parent, so be aware of the things that might not work in your favor. For example, are you chronically unemployed with no permanent residence? Have you dealt with substance abuse issues in the past? Have you neglected or abused the child in the past? All these issues could be used against you, so be prepared to show how you are working on them.
Contact Us Today
In a child custody case, the judge will focus on one main thing: the best interests of the children. Do you have what it takes to get custody of your children?
The Law Offices of Michael A. Robbins can help you understand how to best get custody of your children. Schedule a consultation with our office today by calling (248) 646-7980 or filling out the online form.