Child custody is one of the toughest and most emotional battles in a divorce. Even though you may be on good terms with your ex-spouse, you would not want to lose your child to them. From a legal standpoint, child custody battles are often more complicated and difficult. No one is ever comfortable with the idea of fighting over children.
If you are getting a divorce and have a child custody battle soon, you must be adequately prepared. The judge will award custody to the parent who is best fit for the children. In most cases, joint custody is awarded where both parents enjoy equal time with their children. To get assistance and protect your legal rights, consult an attorney at Turco Legal, P.C. today.
The DOs and DONTs of child custody
- Be an active participant in your child’s life.
While it is important to give your child space, you must be an active participant in your child’s life and be updated about what is going on in their school, including their education and extracurricular activities. Judges award child custody to the parent who they think is the best fit for the child. The child’s interests are given more importance than the parents’.
- DON’T turn your focus to your romantic relationships.
If you are already in another romantic relationship while going through your divorce or right after it, make sure you do not turn your focus on your new partner completely. Your child should still be your priority. They have witnessed the separation of their parents. Therefore, you should be there for them and their needs.
- Take your kids to counseling.
No child is happy about their parents separating, especially when they are minors and do not understand the reasons behind the divorce. A few therapy sessions per month can help your child cope with their feelings and feel validated. They could use a neutral third party to share their feelings about their parents’ fighting.
- DON’T introduce your child to your new significant other.
While you are free to date or marry anyone you like after the divorce, it is better to delay the introduction of your new partner to your kids for some time. Your child has recently witnessed the separation and ugly fights of their parents. Seeing their parents with a new person will be too much for them to handle. The future will be a more appropriate time for you to introduce your significant other to your kids.
- DON’T drink or take drugs.
Divorce can be a difficult time, but using alcohol or drugs to cope is never the right thing. It also impacts your children negatively. If the judge finds out, you may never be allowed to see your kids again.
