Child custody battles are among the most emotionally charged discussions when it comes to divorce, and our Arlington family lawyer is here to help you through this difficult time. The key to succeeding in this situation is to be fully prepared, both for what to do and for what not to do. While you may be aware of the initiatives you can take to put your best foot forward in this situation, there are some things you may be tempted to do in an effort to gain custody of your child that will actually deter a judge from ruling in your favor.
If you need assistance with a custody case, our firm, named among the Top 10 for Best Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Legal Counsel, is here to help you. Contact the Brandy Austin Law Firm today. We have been serving clients since 2013 and are prepared to use our experience to help you.
Not Telling The Truth
When it comes to child custody, the most important thing you can do to gain favor in court is to be as credible and reliable as you can. The judge will be keeping the child’s best interest in mind at all times, so they are looking for the guardian they believe will be the most trustworthy. Therefore, it is imperative that you tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The first mistake that you should avoid is telling any lies in court, because this will diminish your credibility and make it far more difficult to win the battle for your child.
It also may be tempting to express your true feelings toward your co-parent, but do not let your emotions push you to disrespect the opposing party. This may show the judge that you are not emotionally mature enough to care for your child and it will make winning the battle much more difficult.
Involving Other People
While child custody battles may involve more people other than your opposing party, such as your new partner or your child themself, resist the temptation you may feel to involve them in the situation. This can be a traumatic experience for your child, and bringing a new adult figure into their life, perhaps in place of their other parent, can not only be upsetting to them but also concerning to the opposing party or the judge, who will always consider what is in the best interest of the child.
What your child needs at a time like this is stability, so avoid bringing too many changes into their life along with everything else going on. You also want to avoid involving your child in the custody battle to protect their mental health. To be between parents in a custody battle is a burden that no child should have to bear.
Making Mistakes Outside Of The Courtroom
Finally, there are some mistakes outside of the courtroom that you should avoid, such as being too eager for trial before attempting a compromise or, on the contrary, refusing to participate in the process. When you enter a courtroom, you are involving a judge that will rule impartially based upon the evidence he or she is presented with, which could work in your favor but it is not guaranteed. You may be able to come up with a better solution by simply compromising with your co-parent before the case even reaches the courtroom. You should also avoid refusing to participate at all, because you could lose vital grounding and no longer be able to give input.
Contact Our Lawyer Today
We at Brandy Austin Law Firm understand how important it is for you to be granted reasonable custody of your child, and we will guide you through what you need to know to succeed in the custody battle, from everything you should do and everything you should not.
