When a couple is divorcing, there is a lot of stress. There is stress over the estate, money, and lost love, but in many cases the biggest stressor is custody. A custody battle can become very messy and can be hard on everyone involved. If you are in the middle of a custody battle you might be wondering why you are having such a hard time getting the custody of your kids. Here are a couple reasons why it is not leaning in your favor.
1. You Have Unstable Employment Or Income
When the courts look at custody they often look at the emotional state of the parents and children. However, once it is determined you are emotionally fit to care for your children, they will look at your employment situation and your income. They need to see that the children have stability and that their needs can be cared for. Of course there will be child support and financial help from the other spouse, but if it appears that you cannot care for the monetary needs of your children, you may not be granted sole custody. This is why it is important that you find a steady job and work to get yourself financially secure.
2. You Abandoned Your Family
Abandonment is a very serious offense when it comes to custody. The courts want to see that you have been a stable parent in the child's life for the majority of their life. If they see that you abandoned your family at any point, it will count poorly against you. This is why it is important that even if you are fighting with your spouse that you don't abandon the children. Either take the children with you if you decide to leave, or stick it out until you can get a formal separation agreement.
3. You Have A Criminal Record
When the courts look at your record they need to see an individual who is mature and ready to be a parent. If it appears that you are a dangerous or reckless influence on the children, you will not get custody. Be careful about DUI charges, drug charges, domestic violence, assault or any other type of criminal record. This will hurt your chances of getting your children and may even mean that when you are with them you have to have supervised visits. By understanding what will hurt your argument for custody you can do everything that you can to avoid these problems.
For professional legal help, contact a law firm such as Shipman, Dixon & Livingston Co., L.P.A.
Share7 October 2015
When I sued a product manufacturer after a disfiguring accident, I never expected to actually go to court. I assumed that the case would eventually be settled, like most personal injury cases are. To my surprise, they wouldn't budge, and we ended up having to go all the way to court. I was pretty nervous about testifying, but I had a great attorney that prepared me well, and everything went smoothly. In the end, the jury saw things my way. I realized that I probably wasn't the only person to ever experience an unexpected day in court, and that's how I got the idea to start this blog. If you're looking for tips to help you prepare or wondering what to expect when you go to court for a lawsuit, this blog contains important information for you.
