Divorce can be messy and complicated. In the midst of significant changes and other complications, you may find yourself fighting for child custody. If you and the other Nebraska parent are unable to come to an agreement outside of court on the issue of parenting time, custody rights and visitation, you may have to go to court. To succeed, you would be wise to prepare for what is ahead.
The fight for custody can add emotional strain to an already difficult time. This is why it is prudent to be especially careful about accidentally sabotaging your own efforts. Without realizing it, you could be harming your chances of securing the custody terms you believe are in the best interests of your children and your parental rights.
Potential mistakes to avoid
One of the most important things you can do that will improve your chances of securing child custody is to show that you are willing to work with the other parent, even if he or she is not. Demonstrating cooperation will improve your chances of success in court. Potential mistakes you will want to avoid include:
- Don’t forget to exercise your parental rights. Don’t skip your visitation time, and be sure to meet the terms of any temporary custody or visitation order.
- Don’t be late for your drop-off and pick-up times. Show that you are capable and willing to abide by the terms of the agreement.
- Avoid talking negatively about the other parent in front of the kids. This may stress them out and cause additional harm.
- Don’t abuse alcohol or drugs as this can obviously cause significant harm to your efforts to secure child custody.
It is also a mistake to go into a custody battle unprepared and unaware of the challenges that lie ahead. In a contentious custody fight, there will be difficulty, but it will be helpful to keep your focus on what truly matters most, which is the best interests of your kids.
A strong and stable future
The primary goal in any custody arrangement is to provide the children with what they need for a strong and stable future. If you believe it is in their interests for you to fight for custody, you will find it helpful to keep your focus on what will be best for your kids both now and in the future.