Custody battles are not always between two parents. They can be between anyone who can act as a guardian for the child, especially someone who is related to them and is concerned about their condition. However, any custody battle is going to be a long fight. It can also be hard to win. Here are some tips that can help you if you are seeking to gain custody of a child:
Talk with a Lawyer
One of the first things that you should do is to consult with a lawyer. A child custody lawyer in Santa Fe and other urban areas will be able to give you solid advice on whether to push ahead and what are your options if you can’t. There are times when you don’t want to listen to a lawyer, but this is one of those time when you need to heed their advice. Starting a losing fight will not be good anyone involved.
Only Start a Custody Battle for the Right Reasons
Another thing that you need to think about is the reason you have for gaining custody. Don’t just seek custody because you want to score points or something equally unworthy. The only reason that you should be trying to get custody is so that the child would have a better life or to get them out of immediate danger.
For example, the current caretaker of the child, whether a parent or a relative, is not doing the job well or they are living a lifestyle that is dangerous to the child. This should be reason enough for you to try and gain custody.
Don’t Drag in the Child
Custody battles can be very emotional and can be devastating. If you are sincerely seeking the betterment of a child, then you shouldn’t be dragging them into it. Do your best to keep them out of the drama so that they don’t have anything to worry about. Don’t even tell them about how the case is going, especially if they are younger.
Be on Your Best Behavior
When you’re fighting a custody battle, the opposing lawyer and the court will be putting your life under a microscope. This is why you should be on your best behavior. This means you should try to keep your nose clean for the time that the custody battle is happening. No wild parties, no scandalous goings-on. The court would like to see you being a responsible person, while the opposing party will be seeking proof that you don’t deserve to get custody.
Stay with The Facts
Custody battles are all about who will be a better parent, and it can be tempting to accuse your opponent. If you do so, be sure that you are stating facts. This means that you have proof to present the court like documentation of arrests and bad behavior. Wild accusations look bad and can hurt your custody chances.
Be Ready for a Fight
Custody battles don’t just happen out of the blue. You will need to be ready for it. With the above tips, you will have a fighting chance. Just remember that seeking to gain custody over a child so that you can give them a better life is an admirable goal and that it can be worth the fight.
