As is the case with any legal matter, you need to hire an experienced attorney to guide you through the complexities of your case and advise you during times of doubt or confusion. That said, there are also proactive measures you can take on your behalf, in addition to heeding the advice of your attorney, especially in a child custody case. There are also many mistakes you should try to avoid that could harm the outcome of your child custody arrangement, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the do’s and don’ts of these types of sensitive cases.
What You Should and Should Not Do
Not everything is common sense. While you surely know never to endanger your children and understand the importance of following court orders, there are other things that might seem less obvious. We will review the do’s and don’ts of child custody cases, so you can smoothly field your way through your own case without any unnecessary missteps.
What you should do:
- Be willing to work with your ex-spouse: The court believes the involvement of both parents to be within the best interests of the children, so show that you are on board with this by exhibiting a willingness to cooperate for the good of your children.
- Take advantage of your parental rights: If you are vying for custody of your children, prove that it matters to you! Make sure you never turn down scheduled visitations and spend as much time with them as you can. It will show the court that your relationship with them is something you greatly value.
- Understand the power of perception: You know that you love your children and that they are important to you, but the judge on your case does not know that. He or she will know very little about you, apart from what you show in court, so be aware of the power of perception. Pay attention to little details, such as how you dress when you attend court. You want to look like you care. You should also demonstrate acceptable courtroom etiquette and be respectful at all times.
- Be prepared: If you have any documentation that will be helpful for your case, provide them for your attorney.
What you should NOT do:
- Refrain from talking about your ex to your kids: Your ex-spouse is still a parent to your children, so respect their relationship by keeping your negative thoughts about him or her to yourself.
- Never arrive late to drop off or pick up your children: Just as you should always take advantage of your parental rights, you should also make sure you respect the parenting schedule by dropping them off and picking them up on time.
- Do not try to involve your children in the details of your case: It can be rather tempting to share the details of your divorce with your children, but this will only burden them further with information that will only do them harm.
Schedule a Consultation with a Child Custody Attorney Today!
At Sullivan Law & Associates, our team of child custody attorneys is backed by the experience and knowledge necessary to effectively handle your case.
Call our office today at (949) 590-8100 to schedule a case review!