Three Tips for Fathers Who Want Custody of Their Children

Studies show that an estimated 82% of women getting a divorce in the United States want to be the custodial parent. With an estimated 50% of all marriages in the U.S. ending in separation, at a rate of roughly 46,523 divorces filed each week, it is likely that this is the best possible outcome in many situations. However, if you are a father seeking custody of your children, this statistic can be intimidating; after all, if the court is accustomed to seeing women take on childcare responsibilities, how will your case be viewed? Fortunately, there are a number of steps fathers can take to improve their chances of obtaining custody. Read on to learn what you should do even before you set foot in court.

Take Action Immediately

Any divorce attorney will tell you that having a record of fighting for your children means the world when it comes to deciding custody. Whether you want substantial visitation rights, equal time divided between you and your former spouse, or live-in custody, you need to decide immediately and begin pushing for what you want, if not more. Plan out a way to show to the court you understand your child’s routine, needs, and care and prove that you are the best person to facilitate and provide those things.

Find the Right Family Law Attorney

While some divorce lawyers won’t understand why a dad wants more time with their child, others will understand exactly why you are investing time and effort into this goal. Look specifically for fathers rights lawyers in your area, read online reviews, and set up consultations with ones you feel might be a good fit. In your appointments with these fathers rights lawyers and family law lawyers, ask how they have helped other fathers with their custody disputes and talk about creative solutions to your problems. If you feel that a lawyer is pushing you towards a settlement that doesn’t meet your goals at any point, consider looking for another attorney.

Negotiate Carefully

While divorce is a tense process, the best thing you can do is work to establish a workable relationship with your ex-wife: not only can this help to smooth out a number of difficulties over the course of the custody decision, but it can also make it easier to co-parent in the future. Be reasonable, calm, and look for a compromise wherever possible. In the event that you have to go to court, this will reflect well on you. However, as polite as you may be, try to avoid mentioning child support. Some people may believe that you are only trying to get custody to avoid having to make sizable payments, which can hurt your case. Because of this, it is best to avoid bringing up this topic wherever possible.

Obtaining custody or at least a healthy visitation schedule can be challenging. However, with the help of a good fathers rights lawyer, you have a chance of reaching a settlement you can be happy with. If you’re in the process of obtaining a divorce, contact a fathers rights lawyer in your area today.