In a divorce, there are often a lot of things that the parties cannot agree on. Child custody is one of them. Things can get heated when the parents cannot agree on custody matters. Both parties tend to want things their way or no way at all.
This can lead to arguments and no resolution, meaning that child custody may have to be decided in court. Child custody proceedings can be nerve-wracking. It is not easy to go to court, especially if you’re not prepared.
Indeed, the courtroom can be intimidating. People often engage in impulsive behavior due to heightened emotions, resulting in major mistakes that can affect the outcome of your case. Here are some things that can affect your child custody proceedings.
Don’t Lie
This may seem obvious, but you should never lie in court. You want to look your best, but lying is not the way to go about it. The judge will look at the evidence to back up your claims, so do not say that you are Father of the Year when you do not spend any time with your child. Your credibility is of paramount importance in court, so be honest.
Don’t Ignore the Court Hearing
You may dread going to court, but you do not really have the option of not going. If you do not respond, the court will enter a default judgment against you. The case will proceed without your input, and the other parent will get what they desire. So, if you want a fighting chance, you need to respond to notices and show up.
Don’t Badmouth the Other Parent
Courts keep the best interests of the children in mind, and this often means having both parents involved in the child’s life. Both parents need to be able to get along well with each other, so you need to avoid badmouthing the other parent. This means not posting negative comments on Facebook or other social media sites. If you are insulting or disrespecting the other parent, the judge will take notice and possibly award you a lesser amount of custody.
Don’t Withhold Your Child
Some parents engage in alienation, and this may include withholding the child from the other parent. If you strongly believe that the other parent poses a safety risk to the child, then keep them away, but you also need to get law enforcement involved. Otherwise, do not deny the other parent access to the child. This reflects poorly on you and could backfire, leading to reduced custody time for you.
Contact Us Today
Divorces are stressful. Fighting for custody of your child can be even more stressful. Unfortunately, parents tend to act impulsively or use poor judgment in these cases.
The team at Tanis McGonegal Family Law, P.C. can assist you with child custody proceedings. We will help you avoid common mistakes. Fill out the online form or call (303) 465-4605 to schedule a consultation with our Colorado child custody lawyers today.
