Child custody disputes can be an emotionally draining and time-consuming ordeal for you and your family. Your child(ren) will benefit the most if you and your spouse can amicably work out a custody arrangement. However, in the event that an arrangement may not be settled upon, the best thing to do when facing a potential custody dispute is to plan ahead. The following provide a list of ways to effectively prepare for what may await you:
1. Assess your motivations behind gaining custody of your child. Do you have your child’s best interests at heart in wanting to gain custody?
2. Organize your finances. A judge may find it more difficult to award custody of a child to a parent in sloppy financial shape.
3. Create a paper trail of communication between you and your spouse. This communication could be through emails or letters or a variety of other mediums. It may not seem important, but it may be valuable later in the custody proceedings for evidentiary purposes.
4. Be heavily involved in your child’s life on a continuing basis. Perhaps keep a journal of events.
5. Know your child’s school and activities.
6. Similar to organizing your finances, any possible skeletons in your closet (such as drug or alcohol addiction, mental illness, etc.) should be confronted. For example, if you require counseling for substance abuse, consider regularly attending awareness meetings.
7. Be sensitive to your child’s wishes. This will be a difficult time for them, and they will need the love, support, and guidance of their parents.
8. Realize the intrusive nature of custody proceedings, not just for you but for your child as well. For instance, sometimes a Guardian ad litem will be appointed by the court to observe interaction between you and your child.
9. Retain legal counsel. Custody disputes can sometimes be tricky and confusing areas of law to march through alone. An attorney should know the exact nuances of the law and should know how to efficiently resolve the situation.
10. Be honest with yourself and with your attorney. Leaving out details will only hurt your case in the long run.