When you submit a petition for custody of your kid, you are declaring that you are going to win the battle. And this involves doing all in your power to tell the court your side of the story in a way that is proper in the hopes that you will be granted custody. For most parents who are raising their children alone, the most pressing issue is not child support or legal custody but rather physical custody of their children. The steps that are outlined here will be of assistance to you in securing custody of your child.
Talk things over with a lawyer:
In most cases, you may regain custody of your kid without having to shell out money to a lawyer. Despite this, it is highly recommended that you do so. If you do not already have legal representation, you should at the very least make an appointment for a free consultation with an experienced family law attorney so that you may have a better understanding of your circumstances.
Get Familiar With the Child Custody Laws in Your State:
“To acquire possession of your kid, you must first get familiar with your state’s child custody standards,” said a family law attorney in Palo Alto. “To get custody of your kid, you must have a court order.” This is the case regardless of whether or not you are presently working with an attorney. Think at it this way: the more firsthand experience you can accumulate, the better off you will be. Put in a concerted effort, and spend as much time as is required, researching.”
Make use of the resources that your state has provided:
There are currently some states that make it possible to access information on child custody, including the paperwork that are necessary to apply for custody, online. Printing them at home will allow you to avoid unnecessary trips to the courthouse, which will allow you to save time.
Please ensure that all of the needed forms are completed:
Please ensure that each form is fully filled out. Therefore, you won’t need to spend time by leaving one or more boxes blank or supplying information that isn’t sufficient.
Complete the necessary paperwork and turn it in at the courthouse in your community:
In the majority of states, the child custody forms must be submitted in person. If you retain legal representation, they will do all of this on your behalf. When you are handling things on your own, bear in mind that the clerk cannot give you with any kind of legal guidance. The authorities will only be able to provide you direction about how to properly submit your documents. On the other hand, maintaining a positive and cordial demeanor is never a bad idea!
Prepare for your next court appearance:
Whether you will be dealing with a lawyer or defending yourself in court on your own, you will need to prepare for the court hearing. It is really possible that the hearing will last for twenty minutes, especially if it is the first in a series of hearings over child custody.
Participate in the Child Custody Hearing Today:
When trying to establish legal custody of your kid, this should go without saying; nonetheless, you’d be surprised at how often parents either forget or show up late for their court appearance. If it’s at all feasible, get there early. You should also give thought to your appearance and make sure that you are dressed adequately for your appearance in court.
Put up your argument:
When you testify in front of the judge, you will only have a certain amount of time available to you. Since there would not be a judgement, you did not need to worry about addressing an audience either since there will not be a trial. Make an effort to keep your calm and speak slowly and clearly.
Being patient is going to be the most challenging part:
Many parents want the judge to make a decision as soon as possible, but in the vast majority of cases, the judge must first make a number of appearances in court before reaching a conclusion about child custody. Maintain your patience and have faith that you have done all in your power to regain custody of your kid.
Honor the judgment that the judge has made:
You are obligated to adhere to the judgments made by the judicial system. Keep in mind that you may always petition the court to review your case at a later date, even if you are unsuccessful in gaining custody of your child at this proceeding.
Conclusion:
Follow the advice that has been given to you by the court, whether it is to enroll in a parenting program, acquire a job, or move into a larger apartment. Do all in your power to comply with the orders given by the court, and keep your fingers crossed that your efforts will be rewarded if and when your situation is reviewed again in the future.
