Going through a divorce is difficult enough on its own and becomes an even more complicated process when children are involved. If you’ve recently gone through a divorce and are working to reach a custody agreement, it’s essential to focus on what’s best for your children. You should also enlist the help of an experienced child custody lawyer for the court proceedings.

Do:

Be willing to work with your ex.

Although this can be difficult for many couples, especially those that went through a difficult divorce, it’s important to show a willingness to work with your ex-spouse. The family court typically tends to look more favorably upon spouses that strive to keep everything civil in the best interest of the children. Rely on the support of your child custody lawyer to help keep conversation lines open with your ex.

Present yourself as a competent and loving parent.

No matter how good of a parent you are, you still have to provide proof of your competence and willingness to provide the best care to your children during a custody case. This means managing the court’s perception of you by always arriving on time, dressing properly, and displaying good etiquette in front of the judge. Always listen to your child custody lawyer’s advice about the way you should handle yourself in the courtroom.

Don’t:

Arrive late for visits, reschedule, or skip them altogether.

Show how important spending time with your children is to you by always exercising your parental rights by visiting with your children and completing everyday tasks, such as homework and chores, with them. You should also show your commitment to their well-being by always showing up on time for pickups and avoiding rescheduling visits as much as possible.

Involve your children in the case.

As tempting as it may be to tell your children what’s going on in the case or disparage your ex to them, resist the temptation. Divorce is difficult enough for children without having to emotionally process the adult issues that come with a custody case. Keep the details of the proceedings between you, your ex, and your child custody lawyer.

If you’re in need of a divorce attorney or father’s rights lawyer to help you through a child custody case, you can rely on the legal professionals at O'Neill Law Firm LLC in La Crosse, WI. These child custody lawyers can walk you through the process while providing invaluable advice that can help you get the best possible outcome for your case. Schedule your first consultation today by calling (608) 519-3551 or learn more about the practice online.