How to prepare for a hearing on child custody

On Behalf of | Jan 26, 2018 | child custody |

When parents no longer live together or are headed for divorce, it’s inevitable that a child custody issue will arise. Many parents are able to solve this issue on their own before they even hit mediation. Then there are parents who wind up in family court in front of a judge. The judge will make the final decision regarding child custody and base it on the best interests of the child.

It’s a good idea that you document all the activities in which you participate with your child on a regular basis. This will help show the court how involved you are in your child’s life, making it more difficult for the judge to rule in favor of the other parent in the case.

Prepare all documents necessary for the hearing. This could include documentation of abuse committed by the other parent, work schedules that show the other parent does not have time to be the sole custodian of the child or any other documentation that shows the other parent has not been meeting the parenting plan already in place.

Make sure you arrive to your hearing on time and dressed for success. Watch how your speak about the other parent in front of the judge and always be respectful. If the judge asks you questions, be sure to provide truthful answers even if they don’t necessarily help your case.

Are you having trouble resolving child custody issues on your own? It’s likely you will wind up in front of a family law judge in Ohio. It’s best that you prepare as much as possible ahead of time so you are not surprised by any of the proceedings.

Source: Woman’s Divorce, “Child Custody Battles,” accessed Jan. 26, 2018