The courtroom intimidates most people, but when you are fighting for child custody, things can get even more complicated, emotional and stressful.
Whether you’re pushing for partial or sole custody of your child, the process will undoubtedly be stressful and overwhelming — especially if you don’t know what to expect.
While there’s no guarantee on a favorable outcome, there are several things you can do to increase your chances of having a positive custody case experience.
Here are five tips for navigating a child custody case:
- Prioritize Your Child: Things are bound to get heated during a child custody case. It’s important to remember everyone is there to prioritize the health and safety of your child. Even if the results aren’t what you hoped for, honor and execute your parental rights and remember your child is what matters most.
- Hire A Trusted Attorney: During a high-stress situation such as a child custody case, it’s good to have an experienced attorney you can trust to keep the process moving and keep things in perspective. They will help ease your nerves by preparing you for your case. This typically includes helping you prepare for potential questions and arguments, as well as advising on how you’ll want to present yourself come your court date.
- Learn Court Etiquette: Part of the preparation process is to make sure you are aware of proper courtroom etiquette. Usually, your attorney will take time before your case to explain what you can expect during your hearing, how you should dress and present yourself, how you are expected to speak to the judge and what sort of behavior will have negative repercussions.
- Evaluate Potential Issues: Chances are high that your life will be heavily inspected during your child custody case, so it’s good to anticipate this early and take some time to think about any potential issues that could affect your chance of a positive outcome. Whether it’s something on your social media platform or a direct text message arguing with your ex, there are a number of issues that could directly affect your custody hearing and put you in a bad light. Be sure to speak openly with your attorney and don’t leave any potential issues hidden. This will give them time to come up with a game plan and solution instead of being blindsided in the courtroom.
- Avoid Social Media: Do NOT be one of those parents who bashes their ex on social media. While it is your personal account, venting on social media can be used against you in court and negatively impact your custody case. It’s actually a good idea to remain inactive on your social media accounts altogether because other types of posts can also be used against you in the courtroom. Any post that can call your character into question, negatively reflect how you spend your time and even who you spend your time with is fair game when it comes to child custody cases.
For more information about child custody from the experts at Podoll Law, please contact us here or call us directly at 616.737.1106.
