Common Mistakes To Avoid During Florida Child Custody Proceedings
There are several mistakes divorcing parents should avoid making during custody proceedings to ensure that the outcome of their case is not jeopardized.
When parents in Florida divorce, the time they have to spend with their children is often divided. While the challenge of divorce itself can be overwhelming, many parents worry about whether they will be awarded joint or sole custody.
According to the American Bar Association, in sole custody arrangements, one parent presumes primary care of the children. Comparatively, in joint custody arrangements, both parents either share legal or physical custody of the children. To ensure that they are able to attain a positive child custody outcome, there are several mistakes divorcing parents should avoid making while seeking custody of their children.
Failing To Exhibit Emotional Control
According to The Huffington Post, parents who cannot control their emotions and become angry easily may be at a disadvantage during child custody proceedings. Parents who wish to be awarded either joint or sole custody should try to act with proper self-control and good judgement as these proceedings progress.
Not Making Parental Responsibilities A Priority
In many child custody cases, the parent who already handles the majority of the responsibilities of child rearing is at an advantage, states The Huffington Post. During child custody proceedings, divorcing parents should actively demonstrate to the court that they are involved in raising their children.
Leaving Harmful Evidence Behind
The submission of technological evidence during child custody cases can portray parents seeking custody of their children in a negative light. For example, a parent may damage his or her chances of attaining sole or joint custody if negative text messages, photographs or emails are submitted to the court. Divorcing parents should remember that if they impulsively send adverse messages to their former spouse, they put themselves at risk of losing custody.
Not Supporting The Other Parent
In many child custody cases, according to The Huffington Post, the court favors parents who demonstrate that they can effectively work with their former spouse to parent their children. Parents can jeopardize the outcome of their child custody case when they:
- Consistently disparage their former spouse
- Constantly become angry at their ex-partner
- Negatively influence the relationships their children have with their ex-spouse
Parents who desire to show the court that they care about the best interests of their children should take steps to encourage their children to maintain the relationships they have with their other parent.
During the divorce process in Florida, parents may have concerns about how mistakes like these could harm their ability to gain sole or joint custody of their children. If you and your spouse are contemplating divorce, reach out to an attorney who can guide you throughout the process.
Keywords: divorce, child, custody, support