Five Mistakes to Avoid During a Custody Battle

 Posted on September 18, 2019 in Family Law

Your children are the most important thing in a parent’s life, and it is common to lash out at anything that potentially harms their child or prevents a parent from seeing their child or spending time with their child. In this case, that thing is a custody hearing. Below are some common mistakes that parents make during custody battles that can harm their chances of receiving a desirable outcome in court.

Using Social Media to Complain About the Other Parent

As tempting as it may be, using social media to publicly badmouth the other parent, that parent’s lawyer, or a judge handling the case is a recipe for disaster. Not only will it unnecessarily anger all parties target, which may in fact by your short-term goal, but it will harm your reputation, making you seem vindictive, irrational, or a bad role model.

Losing Your Temper in Court

A judge wants to place a child with a responsible parent in a stable home with a calm environment. Outbursts in court prove to the judge that you are not that person and your home is not that place.

Lying or Presenting False Information

Dishonesty is a major blot on your name and your chances of receiving the custody or visitation rights that you are striving so hard to get. Most lawyers and judges can see through lies, and the chances of someone shedding light on your lie are high.

Violating Court Orders

During a divorce or a custody battle, a judge may issue a temporary custody arrangement. Violating this court order is breaking the law. In fact, detaining or concealing a child with the intent to deprive the other parent of their parenting time, visitation, or custody rights is a petty offense, with the third offense being a Class A misdemeanor, according to 720 ILCS 5/10-5.5. Unless your child is in immediate physical danger, by being placed with a violent parent who has made threats, for example, there is no good reason to break such a court order, as your chances of a favorable outcome will be seriously harmed. If necessary, contact law enforcement and/or your attorney if you feel that your child is unsafe.

Discussing the Custody Disagreement in Front of Your Children

Divorce and separation are hard on kids. Engaging in any of the following makes it even harder:

• Heated arguments and legal talk in front of children
• Disrupting their daily routine
• Having discussions about blame in front of the kids
• Either parent disappearing from their children’s lives at this point

Call a Hinsdale Custody Lawyer Today

Whether you are fighting for custody or visitation, you need an attorney on your side to represent your best interests, and to ensure that your child’s best interests are protected too. For help today, call the skilled DuPage County custody attorneys at the Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio at 630-920-8855 to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/help-child-divorce.html