Divorce is a painful process, and a child custody dispute is the most painful part of it. It can be particularly distressful for the child who is facing conflicting loyalties.

Since the meaning of the phrase “best interest of the children” can mean many different things, it is important to make sure you are properly prepared for your child custody case in order to have the best possible outcome. Generally, parents who are active in their children’s lives are favored as well as parents who encourage a positive relationship between the children and other parent. Here are some additional ways you can prepare for your child custody case:

Proper Home Environment: Maintaining a proper lifestyle and home environment is important to proving to the court that you are able to care for the children in the appropriate manner. The home the children are intended to live in should be kept clean and safe, meeting the basic standards of cleanliness. Additionally, as a parent, you should maintain your own physical and mental health, as well as your appearance, in order for the children to live in a healthy lifestyle.

Keeping Proper Documentation: Being prepared and having the proper documentation is also an important part of being successful during a child custody case. Parents should consider keeping a log of all the details about the custody process, such as notes that highlight their efforts to improve their overall parenting skills and facilitate positive interactions between the children and other family members. Additionally, parents may want to keep notes of moments where the other parent may have presented themselves as unfit to have custody of the children. Finally, all documentation that is given during the custody process should be kept and organized as well as keeping a list of individuals who may serve as witnesses to their parenting skills.

Enlisting the Services of a Therapist: Since the children’s well-being is the most important thing to the court, it is important to make that a top priority. By providing the children with counseling, the court will possibly ask the therapist for an assessment of the children’s well-being – this can be a valuable legal tool for parents wishing to have physical custody. While many counselors may be hesitant about making custody recommendations, they will be willing to make a testament about what the children need in order to live a balanced life.

Assistance from a Child Custody Attorney: During all contested custody disputes, both parents should seek the legal help of a child custody lawyer. Even if the custody disagreement is part of an existing divorce process, it is important to know that not all divorce attorneys all well-versed in family law and child custody issues. Because of this, it is important to find a lawyer who specializes in child custody to ensure you are being represented properly as a parent.

Ty Zdravko practices law as a divorce attorney, and family law attorney in Palm Harbor, Clearwater and the surrounding area.

For more information, visit our website at www.divorceboardcertified.com
or call (727) 787-5919.