What does an effective child custody strategy look like? Child custody and parenting time issues are often one of the most contentious aspects of a Carlsbad Divorce. How can you put yourself in the best position to gain a positive outcome?
California family law focuses on “the best interest of the child” when it comes to custody matters. An effective child custody strategy may seem counter-intuitive to many parents entering into divorce conversations. If you are taking actions or causing scenarios that are not in the best interests of your child, you are in all likelihood damaging your own child custody position.
For example, if you act bitterly or vindictively toward your former spouse it may come back to hurt you in front of the judge. If you have said bitter things about your former spouse to co-workers, friends or extended family members, especially in front of the children, the attorney representing your ex is likely to hold up that behavior to the judge. If the behavior has included the destruction of property or argumentative outbursts that disturbed the neighborhood or resulted in a visit from police, it will reflect negatively on you during custody hearings.
Another example is moving in with a new partner. The Court is looking for a stable situation for your children, and a sense of “normality.” This means maintaining present activities, friendships and relationships with all family members (even your inlaws). If you move in with another partner the Court will consider the impact it has upon the child and the disturbance of their “normal” life. This decision could negatively impact your child custody strategy.
Other examples within an effective child custody strategy include making important decisions such as health care, education, extra-curricular activities and religious observations regarding your child without consulting the other parent. Demanding sole custody (in the absence of domestic violence or other extreme circumstances) is not in harmony with most judge’s view of what is in the best interests of a child.
The experienced child custody and divorce attorneys at Burke & Domercq have decades of service here in Carlsbad and North County. We carefully counsel and guide our clients through sensitive issues such as child custody and parenting time. We work to understand your goals and objectives and work to help accomplish them whenever possible. We also provide sound counsel to protect our clients so that their own actions may not interfere with the specific goals and objectives they have for their divorce.