Five Ways to Lose Custody

There is no better way to lose custody than to demonstrate to a judge that you are not involved in raising your child. Usually, one parent is more responsible for caring for the children’s basic needs, the “primary caretaker.” Therefore, if you don’t put in time for homework, feeding, bathing, and fulfilling the basic needs of your child, you are at a real disadvantage in a custody case.
But there are other ways to lose the primary caretaker role. Some are listed below:
1. Not being active in your child’s schedule and activities:
Do you know the names of your child’s teachers, doctor, or have you supervised your child on a play date? If the answer is “no”, that is an indication that someone else (i.e. the other parent) is the primary caretaker.
2. Alcohol, drugs, or other “parental fitness” issues:
A parent who even casually partakes in alcohol and/or drugs may not be awarded custody of their child.
3. Domestic Violence:
Perpetration of domestic violence by one parent will have a profound effect on custody orders (FC Section 3044).
4. Loss of Control:
If an allegation regarding your parenting skills is that you quickly lose your temper with the children, don’t prove that allegation by losing your temper in Court.
5. Disparaging the other parent:
A parent who constantly denigrates the other parent, may lose favor in a custody dispute.
If you are seeking primary custody, you need to demonstrate to the Judge that you promote the best interests of your child. It’s also important to recognize the value of the child’s relationship with the other parent and take steps to encourage that relationship. This is especially true when you are involved in an adversarial proceeding with someone you don’t like very much. It can be challenging to put those feelings aside for the sake of your child, but that is what you must do.
If you’re seeking primary custody or have child custody and visitation questions, consulting with an experienced family law attorney can help you protect your rights. Contact The Reape-Rickett Law Firm at 888-846-6166 to schedule a consultation with an experienced, compassionate attorney.