Nothing is more important than family and, if you have children, you love and prioritize them above all else. As such, it is no wonder why issues pertaining to child custody are some of the most sensitive and trying legal matters divorcing spouses will ever face. However, it is crucial to avoid letting your emotions get the better of you and rule over your decision-making process at this time. Heed the advice of your family law attorney and avoid acting impulsively. If a judge believes you are uncooperative or unstable, it will undoubtedly affect your ability to obtain the custody arrangement you are seeking.
Acting in the Best Interests of the Children
If you are fighting for child custody, a good rule of thumb is to be on your best behavior and to remain engaged in your children’s lives. It probably sounds like common sense, but given the vast array of emotions you and your spouse are likely experiencing, mistakes can easily occur.
Unfortunately, even a seemingly minor error can have serious ramifications, so it crucial to avoid them as best as you can. Familiarizing yourself with these preventable missteps is one of the most proactive steps you can take to avoid them.
Here are some preventable child custody mistakes you should be aware of:
- Being an uncooperative or hostile co-parent: Divorcing parents often do not realize what a huge misstep it is to behave hostile toward one another throughout the divorce process. Keep in mind, however, that family courts believe the involvement of both parents serves the best interests of the children. Therefore, if you are being uncooperative or refusing to communicate, you will appear unsupportive of your co-parent’s relationship with the children, which could severely impact your custody case. You do not have to be best friends with your ex-spouse, but you should be supportive of his or her relationship with the kids.
- Making poor decisions on social media: People often treat social media as a safe haven for venting. Although it is probably acceptable to complain about the final season of Game of Thrones on Facebook, you can expect problems to arise in court if you choose to badmouth your co-parent online. Basically, if you would not want your words to be displayed in court, then you should not post it on social media.
- Not being involved enough: If you want custody of your children, you must continue to remain as involved as possible in their lives. If you have scheduled visitation with them, do not cancel or pick them up late. If you appear unreliable, it will hurt you in court. Additionally, if there is a temporary child support order in place, you must comply with it even if you disagree with it. Disobeying the court’s temporary orders is a surefire way to damage your case.
Work with an Experienced Family Law Attorney Today!
If you are getting a divorce and share children with your spouse, one of the issues you will face is child custody. With Empire Law on your side, you will receive the sound legal advice you need to smoothly navigate these sensitive legal matters.
Contact us today at (914) 752-5333 to schedule a free consultation.
