Things to Avoid During a Child Custody Battle

Sometimes, parents get so obsessed with winning that they forget why they’re fighting for custody in the first place. The worst thing you can do is to use your child as a weapon to spite your ex. Instead of focusing on winning, think about the best scenario for your child and try to negotiate with your ex as calmly as possible.

While waiting for a formal decision to be made, sometimes one parent gets awarded full custody while the other gets visitation rights. No matter which camp you belong in, make the most of the time you are allowed to spend with your child.

Showing anger or hostility toward your ex may be seen as a sign that you are emotionally or mentally unstable, which could make a judge not want to grant you custody. Even if you’re not on good terms with your ex, you should be able to demonstrate that you can make sound decisions for your child’s welfare, and that is best shown by keeping a cool head.

Moving too far away is not recommended, especially if you’re fighting for primary custody. Generally, the courts would prefer the child to stay in the community they are raised in and are already familiar with unless there’s something better waiting for them during the move (being closer to other family members, more money, better schools, etc.) Furthermore, the judge might see the move as an attempt to separate your child from your ex.

Some people can move on quickly after a divorce, and while there’s no rule saying you can’t date again, you might want to slow down for your child’s sake. It can be confusing for a kid to see one of their parents dating someone new, and judges wouldn’t want that trauma on a child. If you’re fighting for custody, forget about moving with your new partner. To get more tips from a child custody lawyer, visit https://www.violaw.com/family-law/child-custody-and-visitation/