Tired of trying to prove you’re the better parent? Understanding the basics of child custody and the court’s “better parent” standard can help you win a child custody battle against a deadbeat parent. Here’s how to leave the stress of your custody battle behind by proving you’re the better parent.
Winning Sole Custody
If you’re interested in seeking sole custody, it’s important to familiarize yourself with child custody laws in your jurisdiction. Familiarizing yourself with the appropriate child custody laws can help you prepare to present yourself in court as the “better parent.” It’s important to remember that the court’s primary concern is the best interests of your child. Depending on your situation, this may or may not involve a sole custody ruling.
The “Better Parent” Standard
Many parents enter child custody hearings to gain sole custody of their children. While some parents believe that the other parent is a deadbeat or unfit to raise their children, some parents hope to gain sole custody for other reasons. If you’re hoping to win child custody, it’s essential to realize that winning sole custody requires a higher burden of proof.
To win sole custody, a parent must prove to the court that they are the “better parent.” Meeting the burden of proof can be challenging, especially if both parents were involved in the child’s upbringing before the custody hearing.
Winning sole custody is also difficult becomes many judges are hesitant to prevent either parent from fostering a relationship with their child. Consequently, any parent looking to gain sole custody must prove that he or she is best able to care for the child without the help of the other parent.
Meeting the “Better Parent” Standard
Parents seeking sole custody must focus on the physical and psychological well-being of the child to prove that they’re the “better parent.” For instance, demonstrate that sole custody would encourage a healthier lifestyle for your child in terms of routine, sleeping and eating habits, and after-school activities. Additionally, support your child’s mental well-being by allowing your child to foster a relationship with the other parent through liberal visitations.
It’s also important to keep in mind that parents should not “trash” each other during a custody hearing. Instead of “trashing” the other parent, consider talking to your lawyer about demonstrating that the other parent is unfit to raise your child. GoLookUp, an online information database, provides mugshots, arrest records, and reverse phone lookups that can help you present evidence that the other parent is unfit. Presenting evidence during your child custody hearing can help prove that you’re the better parent without attacking your counterpart.
Consider Joint Custody
Sometimes, neither parent wins child custody. When the judge fails to determine that either parent is the better parent, he or she rules in favor of joint custody, which can involve joint legal custody or joint physical custody. Parents seeking custody must realize that a joint custody ruling is not necessarily a loss.
In many situations, joint custody rulings suit the best interests of the child. Joint custody rulings allow both parents to share equal parenting responsibilities and make it easier for both parents to foster a proper relationship with their child.
In the case of a joint custody ruling, parents must work together to create a parenting schedule. While many states require a written parenting plan, writing down your intentions and establishing a written schedule can benefit both the parents and the child.
If you’re seeking sole custody understanding the “better parent” standard is essential. To learn more about the basics of child custody, contact an expert attorney at Johnson & Taylor LLC. Ultimately, there’s nothing more important than the well-being of your children.
