When you’re in the midst of a contentious custody dispute, it’s easy to unwittingly make mistakes that put you at a disadvantage. In many of these instances, the parent is simply trying to do what’s best for themselves and their child, but their actions can actually be harmful to their position in their custody case.
That’s why if you’re embroiled in one of these disputes, you need to slow down and think about the implications of your actions. After all, the outcome of your custody case can dictate what your time and relationship with your child looks like.
With so much at stake in your custody case, you need to be aware of some of the most commonly made mistakes. That way you can position yourself to avoid them. So, with that said, let’s take a closer look at what you need to avoid doing in your custody dispute.
Avoid these mistakes in your custody case
Here are some of the most significant common errors that you’ll want to avoid when you’re pursuing a child custody case:
- Missing time with your child: In today’s world where parents have to work long hours and sometimes even multiple jobs to make ends meet, it’s easy to miss out on quality time with your child. Although working is often aimed at providing a good life for your child, in a custody case, that missed parenting time can be used against you. The other parent might argue that you’re too busy working to properly raise your child if you’re seeking sole physical custody, or they might claim that working so much has diminished your bond with your child.
- Talking poorly about the other parent: Even if you don’t get along with your child’s other parent, you should refrain from talking badly about them in your child’s presence. This can alienate your child from the other parent, which could cause them psychological harm. The other parent will use this evidence to show that you’re unwilling to facilitate quality time between them and the child, which the court will likely find is not in the child’s best interests.
- Failing to document everything: You and your child’s other parent are bound to get into disagreements. If you don’t document how those conversations played out, then it’s going to devolve into a he-said, she-said situation. This could put you in a position where the court has to determine credibility, which might play against you.
- Sharing too much on social media: Social media can be a great a way to connect with family members and friends, but if you’re not careful, it can also give the other parent evidence to use against you. For example, they might be able to use your posts to demonstrate that you’re engaging in behaviors that aren’t conducive to appropriate parenting.
- Failing to abide by the court’s orders: If you don’t stick to the court’s orders, then the judge in your case might feel compelled to modify the existing orders in a way that limits your time with your child, as they might feel that doing so is the only way to protect the other parent’s rights and their time with the child.
When you try to act in your child’s best interest, it’s easy to make a mistake that ends up working against you. That’s why you have to be thoughtful as you navigate the process. By doing so, you’ll hopefully avoid costly errors that result in an unfavorable order being issued.