What Not to Do in Your Child Custody Case?

by Kevin Smith Author

Determining child custody is almost never an easy process. If the divorce is a hostile affair, both parents can feel equally passionate and often have their own justifications for why a child is better with one over another. If you are in this situation, the first piece of advice is to hire the best child custody lawyer in San Antonio, Texas you can afford; after that, make sure you do not do this.

Blur the Emotions Between the Child and the Ex

Emotions almost always run high in a divorce and hostility between the two parties can take on a life of its own. Too often, the child is used a pawn as both parents jockey for favor. Equally as often, one parent trashes the other, allowing their own feelings about the ex to spill over into the custody and well being of the offspring

All of this has a devastating impact on the emotional and mental health of a child. A parent should not try to sabotage, discourage, undermine or interfere with the child’s relationship with the other parent. Not only is it horribly unhealthy for the child, it can end up being used against the offending parent in court as a form of emotional abuse.

Sign off Early

The reason you have a court date and court process to determine the custody arrangement of the child is because you have to go through an official, judicial process to legally get the custody you think is appropriate. Do not ever sign off on any agreement for custody that is not negotiated and authorized in and by a court. Doing so weakens your case if your ex request more time with the child or a greater percentage of the custody.

Go Out Partying A Lot, Do Drugs and Engage in No Rules Dating

If you engaging in certain behaviors, like drinking a lot or routinely staying out late, you are opening the door for a hostile spouse to make the case you are unfit as a parent. If you are at the point you want to start dating, make sure you lay down the rules long before the person you are interested in stays overnight.

Have a Social Media Meltdown

Social Media is a great way to communicate, but it is also an easy way to get yourself into trouble in a custody battle, especially if you trash your ex. Evidence of that or exhibiting violent or unstable tendencies in your social media posts can be used as evidence in your child custody case. A good piece of advice is to always remember that anything you say or write in public or online is fair game, even if you are just joking around.

Child custody cases can be excruciating for all involved. To win, you must hire the best child custody lawyer San Antonio, Texas and make sure you avoid all of the above.