Family Lawyer

An attorney understands just how complex and difficult it is for parents to fight over custody of their children. With so much at stake, parents may be inclined to react irrationally or in another manner that puts their case at risk. It is important to us that parents have the support they need to get through such an emotionally agonizing time. Your behavior leading up to and during the child custody hearing can have an impact on the final verdict. 

Here are some actions that you do not realize could seriously hinder your chances at receiving the child custody verdict you are looking for: 

Fighting and Pinning Other Parent Against Children

The court system highly frowns upon parents who use children as pawns, fight in front of their children with the other parent, or take other actions that prevent the other parent from maintaining a relationship with the children. If you act as if the judge is with you watching every time you spend time with your children to talk with the other parent, then you can avoid the devastating pitfalls that can eliminate your chances of getting custody.

An attorney may remind parents that children tend to talk about things they hear and mimic, so stay away from behaviors or words that you don’t want repeated. 

Having Heated Arguments That Can Be Recorded

Child custody battles can get sneaky. It is best to just assume that the other parent is recording verbal or written conversations for use during the child custody hearing, if needed. Don’t forget that even a text conversation can be easily saved and sent to a judge. As an attorney has seen before, a child custody case can turn completely into one parent’s favor if a negative recording is shared that puts the other parent in a negative light. Some recordings may not be permissible unless it is to support claims that the other parent’s intentions are malicious or is under a dangerous mental state. 

Moving in with a New Partner So Soon

Divorce or a separation between parents is emotionally challenging for children, especially if they are at an impressionable age or have a hard time grasping what is happening. Things can become even more confusing if a new partner is introduced into the dynamic before the divorce or child custody verdict has been finalized. Courts can be very reluctant to award custody to a parent who is going to be around a new parental-like figure so quickly.

Children may even feel uncomfortable staying over at that parent’s house because they don’t know the new partner well enough. By moving in with another partner during this time, the judge may interpret it as you are being insensitive to your children’s best interests.