One of the more contentious aspects of family law is child custody. As a parent, the happiness of your child is what matters most. Generally, this will also be the priority of the court and it is probably the case for your ex too. The problem is that you may not all agree on what is best for the child.
While the court may have the final say on some issues, there are opportunities for you and your co-parent to come to suitable agreements. If the court has to step in, then your preparation can prove to be vital. Are you ready for your custody hearing?
Have you been in court before?
If you have never been to court then it can be difficult to know what to expect. Usually, the family court is much less formal than the criminal court, but it is still a legal environment. One thing you can do is check out the building beforehand. Some parents like to go a few hours before the hearing commences, or even the day before. This way, the environment isn’t completely new to you when it comes to the hearing.
Do you have what you need?
In custody proceedings, you are going to give your side of the story in terms of what you believe is best for you and the child. If you think the child will perform better at school in your care, then it will help you if you can provide evidence of this. Maybe the teachers are willing to testify to this fact or at least write letters and share school reports with the court.
Your conduct before, during and after custody proceedings matters a lot. You always want to show that you are a good parent. Having legal guidance on your side can make custody proceedings feel much less intimidating.