A child custody case can be a daunting and stressful situation. A parent in a child custody case hopes to have the most amount of time with their children, but they have to prepare for this. Learning what and how to do things can shorten the period you need to deal with the matter. With this, take note of the following when going through a child custody case:
If you’re not sure what the other parent is planning, ask them
If they’re not planning anything, ask if they’d like to take their kids, or you can take them while you share custody. You don’t need the judge’s permission for this, but you need your former partner’s agreement to change timesharing. You’ll want a court order that says a parent is only allowed a certain number of miles away from the child’s home. If you have to move out, you need to tell the court, and your ex-spouse needs to agree to the move.
If you’re not in agreement about how much time each parent gets with their kids, try to work out an arrangement that works best for all parties involved. It’s best to try and keep your parenting decisions private and not need the court system unless you have to. The courts do not like contradicting orders, so make sure that your child custody order is in line with what the judge has ordered if you don’t want any trouble.
Consider their schedule and try to work around it as much as possible
Knowing your former partner’s schedule can make it a lot easier to make arrangements for child custody matters. A parent should work around their former spouse’s schedule if possible. As long as the child custody order is in agreement, you can decide when and where your kids spend time with each parent. Be sure to get input from your kids on who they’d like to stay with or if they would like joint custody. You can also use mediation to resolve custody disputes easily.
Get copies of child care decisions made by the judge or mediator
If your ex-spouse or a mediator decided on something regarding child custody while you weren’t in court, get a copy of that agreement. It’s always a good idea to have all of your child custody documents in one place just in case you need them. When the situation changes, you can always go back to court and ask for a modification of the child custody order.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself and find a support system
Doing so can stop you from feeling overwhelmed. You might have to hire a lawyer if your former partner isn’t cooperative about following the child custody order. Find family and friends who can help you out in this challenging time. It’s important to remember that a child custody case can be very daunting, but it’s essential to try and stay as calm as possible. This will help make the situation easier for both you and your children. Preparing ahead of time can also help make the process go a lot smoother.
Delegate tasks so your time isn’t wasted
When doing so, try to stay positive. Getting organized and knowing what to expect can help alleviate stress from preparing for a child custody case. Remember to carefully consider your decisions so that you don’t have to go back to court every time there’s a problem.
Get creative with parenting strategies by picking up new skills
Doing so can also dispel old parenting myths. Understanding how co-parenting works and self-fulfillment go hand in hand with your success as a single parent. This way, even when you raise your kid alone, you can feel like you’re part of a team.
Check out resources and groups available
This will help ensure that your child custody case goes as smoothly as possible. You can contact family law attorneys for consultation and advice. You can also go online and search for reliable sites. This way, you won’t go in blindly when handling the matter.
These are just some things to keep in mind when preparing for a child custody case. Parents who are on their own may not have any problems with how they choose to raise their children. When there is a child custody dispute, it can be better to ask for help instead of trying to deal with the situation alone. A parent’s decision on what they want first and foremost for their children may not always come first in a child custody case.
