A divorce can be a tumultuous time in anyone’s life, but when it involves issues surrounding child custody and visitation, things can become truly explosive. One of the best ways to not get the ideal outcome for yourself and your child is to act impulsively and emotionally. Consider changing the following behaviors to maximize your chances of receiving the ideal parenting time outcome:
Change Your Behavior
It can be hard to accept that something that is happening is not within our best interests, or that of our children. It’s crucial for parents to acknowledge, and accept, that the way they behave both inside and outside of the courtroom can have an enormous influence on the outcomes they receive. Your behavior with your spouse or ex-spouse is the most crucial. Change your behavior – take a deep breath before making any decisions, and do not act on impulse.
Watch Your Communication
As they always say, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. Watch the way you communicate with your child’s other parent. Don’t bother getting into an emotional text/email war with your soon to be ex-spouse. It can only be used to harm you in court proceedings moving forward. Communicate pragmatically, not emotionally.
Don’t Live with Another Partner
Painful as it may be, do not live with a new partner while your divorce proceedings are under way. The court does not take kindly to the presence of a new lover in the lives of children while a divorce from your ex-spouse is on the table. In the view of the court, this only serves to confuse and emotionally damage the children involved. The court may not be inclined to give parenting time to a parent who has been perceived as moving on too quickly.
Don’t Remove Your Children from Their Daily Activities
Stability is vital for children, and the court is looking for the best situation to provide that. If you remove your children from their daily activities the court may see you as a threat to the stability of your children’s lives – and give more parenting time to your ex-spouse as a result. The divorce should have as little disruption on their daily lives as possible.
Stop “Badmouthing” Your Ex/spouse to Other People Especially Your Children
Tempting as it may be, everything you say can be used against you. If the court perceives that you are poisoning your children against your spouse, they may very well respond by giving parenting time and custody decisions to them instead. Keep your opinions about your soon to be ex-spouse to yourself.
Are you wanting more parenting time? Simon Law Group can guide you through the required steps and will be there with you every step of the way. Contact us today!
