Knowing what not to do is one of the most critical parts of a custody battle. This is often a time of stress and high emotions that can cause people to forget specific protocols.
Even if you believe that you are in the clear, there are other considerations you must consider. Read on to learn about what to avoid during a custody battle to help your chances of winning.
Do Not Lie or Disregard the Court
Avoid lying in court or disregarding their orders during a custody battle, as this can land you in serious trouble with the law. Instead, explaining your mistakes and how you plan to correct them is better to improve your chances of winning.
Lying to a court can lead to severe ramifications because you will likely lose credibility and trustworthiness. Your demeanor in court is very substantial in determining if you are a fit candidate for custody.
If you have issues with the court order, wait until you are allowed to appeal again to change the decision.
Do Not Disrespect the Other Parent
Although you may have particular frustrations with the other parent in your custody battle, refrain from saying harmful, false, or adverse comments about them. This can damage your chances of winning since the court may see you as immature.
Additionally, it can cause emotional damage to your children, who will likely witness or hear what was said.
Avoid venting your anger on social media or any other media platform.
Do Not Involve Your Child
Another critical factor is to avoid involving your child in the battle. Depending on your child’s age, they might be confused as to why this battle is happening and what their role is in it.
Making your child choose sides between you and the other parent will make it seem like you are pitting the child against the other parent.
Courts will likely see this as inappropriate behavior due to the impact it can have on the child. In addition, they will know that you are not looking out for your child’s best interest.
Do Not Abuse Alcohol or Drugs
Although this is often stressful for everyone involved, avoid turning to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms. They can often cause you to act in a way that you usually would not, which can harm you significantly in court.
Therefore, it can show the court, the other parent, and any children that you are unfit. This may result in the loss of physical custody.
Avoiding a Custody Battle
Remember that your actions play a part in how the court determines child custody. Following these tips can help you avoid severe mistakes during your custody battle that may damage your reputation in front of a court, the other parent, and any children.
Dalena & Bosch located in Madison, New Jersey is an experienced law firm dedicated to resolving family law disputes. Please contact us if you struggle in this type of situation and look for professional expert advice and help regarding your divorce and custody.