When filing for divorce, many issues must be addressed. One issue that is often contested is child custody.
If you are seeking custody of your child, there are certain mistakes you should avoid to ensure you don’t hurt your case.
1. Not focusing on your child’s interests
While you need to take care of yourself when going through a divorce, you can’t go overboard. You must stay focused on your child’s needs and what is in their best interest.
2. Trying to alienate the child from their other parent
You may not even realize you are doing this; however, if you talk about your child’s other parent badly or do other things to make your child favor you, it can backfire. Sometimes, this is viewed as “revenge” against the other parent, even if that is not your intention.
3. Refusing to compromise
You may not be thrilled about the negotiations going on about child custody. However, if you refuse to compromise and reach an agreement, it may be seen as something that is not in the best interest of your child or children. In this case, it can hurt your custody argument.
4. Engaging in drug or alcohol abuse
If you excessively or habitually use alcohol or drugs, the court may see it as a problem. This is often viewed as a situation where you won’t be able to provide a safe environment for a child. If there is proof of this excessive use, it may even minimize the custody arrangement you get.
Protecting your right to custody
Parents want what is best for their children; if this is the case, you need to ensure you don’t make mistakes here regarding custody. Knowing your rights and options is the best way to protect your ability to have custody of your children.