If you’re facing a child custody battle, it’s natural to be nervous about the proceedings and final outcome. After all, there is a lot at stake. Fortunately, you can take some comfort in the fact that family law judges ultimately base their decisions on the best interests of the children involved. If a joint living arrangement is not ideal, though, and you hope to become the custodial parent, below are a few tips to strengthen your case. 

Do:

Be Cooperative. 

Family law judges want to see that parents respect one another and will remain civil for the sake of their kids. If one parent is unwilling to cooperate, the judge may assume he or she does not prioritize the best interests of the children and will be wary of awarding custody to him or her.   

Be Aware of How You Present Yourself.

It may be unfair, but how you present yourself in court, at work, and even on social media can affect the child custody battle. Dress appropriately and try to remain calm and dignified during the proceedings so no one can accuse you of being unstable. Carry this persona over into your social media profiles, as well, and do not post anything that the opposing party could use as ammunition against you. 

Don’t:

Put Your Kids in the Middle.

Do not use the kids as messengers when you need to tell your ex something. Even if they are sharing seemingly innocuous information back and forth, this will set a precedent that it’s okay to put them in the middle. It will also show the judge you are not willing to talk to your ex directly, which will undoubtedly be considered uncooperative. 

Miss Time With the Kids.

Show the judge you want as much time with the kids as possible by using whatever time you do have. Do not arrive late to pick them up and try not to cancel visits or rearrange the schedule unless absolutely necessary. 

 

If you are facing a contentious child custody battle in California and need legal guidance, turn to My Legal Team, Inc. Based in Signal Hill, they are proud to serve clients throughout Long Beach. In addition to family law disputes, they also assist with wills and trusts, probate, and court appearances. You can learn more about their team by visiting their website. To schedule a consultation, call (562) 479-0900.