5 Mistakes that Could Adversely Affect Your Child Custody Case

If you are going to be in court for a child custody case, you want to make sure you do everything possible to get the results you desire. This type of case is easily one of the most important legal issues that you will face in the course of a divorce, so avoiding common mistakes is absolutely essential. The following are issues that often lead to an unwanted decision from the courts.

Refusing to Compromise

It is inevitable that you and the other parent are going to disagree on what is best for child custody. The courts want both parties to come together and compromise for the good of the children. If a judge sees that one party is being unreasonably difficult or just absolutely unwilling to compromise on anything, it will likely count against that party.

Talking Bad About the Other Parent in Front of Kids

If it can be shown that you are making negative comments about the other parent in front of the kids, it can count against your case. The courts encourage both parents to do everything they can to allow the kids to have a healthy relationship with the other parent. Those who actively sabotage this relationship will be looked upon poorly by the courts.

Refusing to Follow an Existing Parenting Plan

In many cases, a child custody case will be trying to make changes to an existing parenting plan. When this is the case, the courts will look at whether or not each party has been following the existing plan properly. If it is shown that you have been disregarding the current parenting plan, a judge may think it unlikely that you will follow a new one. With this in mind, they are unlikely to rule in your favor. To avoid this type of issue, make sure to follow your current parenting plan, and document any agreed upon variations from it.

Social Media Posts

Many people are tempted to share everything about their life on social media, but when you have children, that can be a crucial mistake. More and more courts are looking at social media posts as part of a child custody case. If you are making posts that could be seen in a negative light, it could very well come back to bite you in the end. Even simply posting negative information about your ex can be very harmful. Your best bet is to avoid posting anything about your divorce, your child custody arrangement, or your ex on social media.

Trying to Handle it On Your Own

The worst thing you can do when involved with a child custody case is to try to handle it on your own. Having an experienced Alabama family law attorney representing you will dramatically increase the likelihood that you are able to get what you want. Contact the Law Office of John Totten to discuss your situation, and see what the right course of action may be.

John M. Totten