Mistakes You Must Avoid in a Child Custody Battle

Custody battles can quickly become difficult if parents have stark disagreements about what’s best for their children. In many cases, both parties strongly feel their children are better off with them than their spouse.

When emotions are running high, it is important to act as rationally as you can to get the best possible outcome for you and your kids. The following are a few common mistakes you should avoid at all costs:

• Representing yourself. Child custody litigation is complex. While representing yourself allows you to avoid some expenses, it also is likely to end in disaster. Attorneys understand all of the little details of child custody cases and are far less likely to make key mistakes. You may feel that doing some research is enough to get you through the process. But, keep in mind; there is no substitute for experienced Family Law attorney’s deal with the same issues, laws, procedures, and Judges every week. It is easy to get in over your head. Moreover, it is easy to lose objectivity when you represent yourself. Even experienced family law lawyers will hire an attorney to represent them in court.
• Misleading the court. Parents who are desperate to look better in the eyes of the court often embellish facts or completely lie to try to improve their chances of a favorable custody arrangement. However, these mistruths if  uncovered, as often happens will irreparably harm your credibility in court.
• Violating custody orders. Not only can custody violations cause you to lose custody or visitation permissions, but when serious enough, they could also lead to significant fines or jail time.
• Coaching children. It is not unusual for court officials to be able to determine if you have coached your children on what they should say. This can be especially harmful to your case if you have told your children to lie or disparage the other parent. Saying negative things about the other parent is harmful to the child, and judges will not look favorably upon you for doing it.

If you would like further guidance on child custody and related family law issues, speak with a knowledgeable Jacksonville attorney at Combs Greene, PA.