4 Points To Remember During The Child Custody Process
Without question, divorce is one of the hardest things that people go through, and child custody disagreements are among the toughest parts of the process. However, if you want to protect your rights to guardianship, you will need to come to the table prepared to handle the process at your absolute best. You and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are in a tough position, but the sooner you handle it, the sooner you will be able to start the next chapter in your lives. Read on for some child custody tips to help you make the most of the situation.
Show That You Are Taking An Active Role
The best way to show your worth as a guardian is to take a serious role in all of your child's interests and activities. This means joining the Parent Teacher Association, serving as a coach on the sports team, helping out at church and any other factors that prove your worth. However, be sure you do this earnestly, because as important as these steps are for proving your custody rights, these activities will keep you close to your child as you attempt to raise them apart from your spouse.
Learn The Laws Of Your State
The more you know about your state's child custody laws, the more power you will have in making accurate decisions. Too many people leave such knowledge to the discretion of the attorney, without taking it upon themselves to stay abreast of legal changes and implications. Get thorough copies of the child custody laws of your state and study them with a fine-toothed comb, so you can ask pertinent legal questions. This puts you in the driver's seat when it comes to making the right choices for your child's custody hearing.
Take Part In Mediation Sessions
Mediation is the best thing possible when it comes to finding common ground with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. Aside from your aspirations of primary guardianship, it is drastically important that each parent play an active role in the child's life. By creating a dialogue and keeping the relationship civil between you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse, you avoid constant legal bickering throughout the years and will prevent the relationship from becoming toxic. This is crucial, because that toxicity will eventually trickle down to the child.
Maintain Highly Accurate Records
The better the records you keep, the better chance you will have at receiving a fair shake in a court of law. Not only should you remember details, you need to keep track of dates that are pertinent to proving your right to guardianship. Invest in a quality calendar so that you remember things like pickup and drop-off dates, court hearing dates and child support payment dates, so that you are able to be thorough and professional every step of the way.
For more information, contact J. Scott Braden or a similar legal professional.