It’s an unfortunate fact, but almost half of all marriages end in divorce. This process has become commonplace in our society, but that doesn’t make it any less difficult.
Children can further complicate matters because often both parents typically believe they can provide the best care. In the past, custody would usually go to the mother by default.
However, times are changing and an increasing number of fathers are seeking custody rights for their children.
So how can a father get full custody of his child? While the process is challenging, in this article we’ll provide you with tips for navigating it. Let’s get started!
How Can a Father Get Full Custody of His Child?
The answer to these questions depends on a variety of factors. The relationship you have with your children, the circumstances of the divorce, and your relationship with your ex-spouse can all determine the outcome.
However, regardless of these factors, there are things you do to increase the likelihood of getting custody. Here are our five biggest takeaways to improve your chances.
Choose the Right Type of Lawyer
As you can probably guess, the key to any legal battle involves a good lawyer. But how do you find one?
You can hire a professional attorney using a variety of resources. You should look for a family lawyer who specializes in custody cases.
If you can, try and find a lawyer who works with male clients often. This will make them more sympathetic to your case’s details. They likely also have a better idea of how to approach the case based on experience.
If you want to go the extra mile, then you should look into the lawyer’s history of winning custody cases. Though they may be more expensive, a successful track record shows that the lawyer is effective and passionate about these kinds of family cases.
If you can, interview your potential lawyer by asking how they’ll approach the case. Their answer should provide you with a lot of details and tips for winning the case.
Always Try to Compromise First
Before you begin a custody battle, you should first try opening up negotiations with your ex-spouse. Compromising on a parenting plan can prevent a lot of wasted money and hurt feelings.
The first thing you should discuss is custody arrangements. This can include things like full custody, joint custody, or split custody. Split custody is when two or more children are separated from each other — each going to a different parent.
However, these types of custody cases aren’t popular since they split up the siblings. Once you determine a custody plan you can move on to factors like visitations. If you are comfortable with the terms, then we highly recommend settling.
This is true even if you’re not 100% satisfied with the terms. However, if the negotiations are unacceptable, then you will need to get ready for a lengthy legal battle.
Become More Present in Your Child’s Daily Life
Unfortunately, the court can’t just take your word that you’re present in your child’s life. They need verifiable proof.
So how do you get this proof? Make an effort to be there for your child in their daily life.
This can take the form of picking them up from school, taking them to doctor appointments, attending sports games/practice, and showing up for parent-teacher conferences.
All of these activities are important because witnesses can verify your presence in the child’s life. This allows your lawyer to make the argument that you’re more important for maintaining that stability.
However, it’s important to realize that you aren’t just doing this for the custody case. Being there for your children can also help strengthen your bond with them. If this bond is strong enough, then you can prove that you will sacrifice anything for your children’s success and happiness.
If You Have a Higher Income, Then Use It
Typically, men will have a higher salary than their spouses. Don’t be afraid to use this information in court if you earn more than your ex-spouse. A higher earning power is great evidence in court that you can provide better care than your spouse.
You can do this by providing resources that might otherwise be unavailable to the children. Demonstrate this by showing the role your finances have in the children’s healthcare, education, and entertainment.
While it may not feel particularly good to show off your finances, it’s an unfortunate fact that money talks.
As such, a small apartment isn’t as ideal as a large home where they can grow and play. In the end, the most important thing is the standard of living the child gets.
Look for Credible References
A good list of affidavits can make or break a case. Affidavits are written statements made under oath that can be applied to a client’s case. You can get these statements from a variety of sources.
However, try and limit the list to people who have seen you in action as a parent. People like family members, friends, and coworkers are a great place to start. Affidavits can also be used to show the role you take in your community.
For example, if you volunteer on the weekends, then a statement from one of your colleagues can help demonstrate that you care about giving back.
The same goes for coaches, teachers, and church members who know the role you play in your child’s life. These statements provide written evidence that can be more powerful than any spoken testimony.
The Importance of Knowing How to Get Custody
We hope this article helped you answer the question, How can a father get full custody of his child? While this process is both financially and emotionally toiling, it’s worth it in the long run.
Just follow these tips and you’ll show that you want a meaningful place in your children’s life. Looking for more articles on everything from tech to business? Keep on reading articles from our blog!
