Child Custody - Impressing the Judge

Be willing to work with the child’s other parent

Demonstrating an unwillingness to collaborate with the other parent will lose you visitation and possibly legal custody. Show the Judge you are the one working hard to communicate and compromise. It will go a long way.

See your children whenever possible

If you've been granted visitation then take full advantage of it. Spend as much time with them as you can. The Judge wants to see that you are interested in your children. The Judge also wants to see you do everyday things with them, not just take them on vacations and to special events.

Don't involve your children in the court case

Sharing the details of your case with your children is the quickest way of irritating the Judge. The Judge wants to see you and the co-parent work out the adult stuff, while keeping the children out of the bickering and fighting.

Don’t put the children in the middle

It is important to let them be children and not place the burden of adult issues on their shoulders. If you force them to pick sides, or pit them against the other parent, it will backfire. It will be considered alienation and that is one of the dirtiest words in family court.

Perception is everything

It doesn't matter if what is being said about you is true or not; what matters is whether the court believes you when it is time for you to testify. Do everything you can to present yourself to the court as a competent, involved, loving parent. This means being on time, dressing appropriate, and absolutely no outbursts.

Hire an experienced child custody lawyer

When it comes down to it, you need someone who will fight for you. That means your attorney needs to be an experienced litigator, because nothing strikes fear in the opposing party’s attorney then an attorney who is not afraid to put on a hearing. You also want an attorney who is honest with you and is willing to communicate. Don’t mistake your attorney for a therapist, that will only slow the process down and cost you a lot of money.

Author: Brian J. Boeheim

Provided by: Boeheim Freeman Law - 918-884-7791 onyourworstday.com