Divorce can be a bitter and acrimonious process. Child custody issues, particularly those that escalate to custody battles, can be particularly harmful to the child at issue as well as the parties engaged in the divorce. Custody battles can continue for years and can often erupt again long after the divorce is finalized. A good child custody lawyer will tell you that the best way to win a custody battle is to avoid fighting it in court. Try and reach a suitable custody arrangement prior to having the issue escalate into a custody battle. Absent that, however, the best custody advice may be to prepare yourself and your case so thoroughly that the battle never really begins.
Custody arrangements are decided based on the best interests of the child. In order to gain custody of your child in a custody battle, you will need to prove to the judge that it is undoubtedly in the best interest of your child to be in your custody. Child custody lawyers can be valuable assets in proving your case in court, however there are a number of things you can do to prepare on your own. In preparing your case understand that your parenting skills, daily interactions and lifestyle will be under review by a judge. Merely telling the judge that you're a fit parent won't carry the day. You will need documentation and witness testimony to support your claim to be the better parent.
Like with anything, it pays to keep detailed and consistent records in order to prove your case in a custody battle. You will need to prove that your child's welfare is your top priority and you will need to document the ways in which you demonstrate that. You should keep a record of your child's activities, attend after school and extracurricular activities, be the parent to take your child to medical visits, make sure your child is involved in family and religious activities and take your child on vacations and outings. Most importantly, have witnesses who can attest to your involvement in these activities.
The stronger your case, the less likely you are to fight a bitter custody battle in court. If your spouse doesn't feel he can win custody, he's less likely to push the issue before a judge. As such, preparing your case and being ready to prove that you're the better parent may be the most effective way to avoid a custody battle.
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