Custody battles are stressful, to say the least, for all parties involved. They can sometimes be even more intense as a father. In some courtrooms, it can be a steep, uphill battle for a father to prove that it would be in the child’s best interest for him to be awarded custody. Understandably, the stress of doing so can create much tension and pent up anger. If a father reaches his boiling point and acts on those emotions, he can hurt his chances of a favorable decision. Here, we give you some tips of what not to do while going through a custody battle.
Don’t trust anyone outside of your attorney. That’s right… no one. Not family, friends, co-workers, strangers in a chat room, or the next person in line at the coffee shop. You have no idea who may have connections to your ex. In our technologically advanced world, we never know who may be recording what we do or say. Also, don’t try to use your children as weapons. They are not pawns in a game, and should never be used as a means of negotiation. Truthfully, they shouldn’t even know the custody battle is taking place.
Be patient. Don’t lose your temper because things are not progressing at your preferred rate of speed. Given some time to calm down and think things through, your ex may agree to mediation or direct negotiation in order to keep a Judge from making the decisions for you. This would be great news. However, it will very likely never happen if you put constant pressure on her.
Finally, always keep your emotions in check. If you feel yourself reaching a boiling point, walk away. Learn to take a breather when things get too tense while continuously reminding yourself that the situation is only temporary. Your children deserve what is best for them. Trust the process and allow it to progress naturally. Lean on your attorney when you need a listening ear.