Going through a divorce is an overwhelmingly emotional experience, particularly when children are involved. Tempers are at an all time high and, if you and your former spouse have a hefty amount of animosity and unresolved issues, this can be a recipe for disaster. It is crucial not to let your feelings get the best of you during this time or you might make a mistake that can derail the outcome of your child custody battle.
Here are 4 common mistakes people make in the midst of child custody battles, which you must avoid:
- You got arrested: The quickest way to severely harm your child custody case is to get arrested while your custody battle is pending. If you are arrested for a violent crime, even if it did not result in a charge or conviction, this can give your ex-spouse just the right amount of ammunition he or she needs to claim that you have an anger management issue or are prone to violence. If the allegations are related to alcohol or some other form of substance abuse, this could certainly harm your case as well.
- You disobeyed the court’s temporary custody order: Commonly, in the midst of a divorce, the court will issue a temporary interim custody order until a more permanent arrangement is made. A major mistake occurs when a parent disobeys the court’s temporary orders. For example, if you failed to return the children to your ex-spouse by a specific time and on a specific day, or removed the children from the state without permission from the other party, these would have a major impact on the court’s decision to award you the desired custody rights you are seeking.
- You exhibited poor judgment on social media: Social media can be a fun pastime, but it can be a curse throughout a custody battle. Whatever you post can come back to haunt you in court. For example, if you posted photos of you appearing to engage in irresponsible behavior, this could be used against you in court. Before you post, ask yourself If you would mind a judge seeing it. If you are not sure, err on the side of caution and refrain from posting.
- You are refusing to reasonably communicate and co-parent: There can be a lot of bitterness in a custody battle, but if you act on this by being uncooperative and unreasonable, it will backfire against you. A judge might perceive you as the problem parent and decide that you should not have sole decision-making authority over your children.
Child Custody Attorneys in Framingham
If you and your spouse are in the midst of a child custody dispute, it is critical to have skilled legal representation on your side to advise you and help you navigate the complexities of such delicate matters. At Barach Law Group LLC, our Framingham family law attorneys have over 20 years of experience, which we will use to help you achieve your goals and do what is best for your children. Contact us today at 617-819-1805 to request your free consultation.