10 Tips For Fathers On How To Win Their Child's Custody

By Staff Reporter Jan 04, 2021 10:01 AM EST

Focus on your eligibility to provide financial support, strengthen the bond, attend events, be respectful to the mother & plan for the secured future.

The custody of the child can be stressful & cause dismay to both the child & parents. To win your child's custody as a father, you need to come up with solid preparation.

Though courts don't give biased verdicts, it's strenuous for a father to win his child's custody. Even if you think you've got everything covered, be ready to face challenges. As a father, you have a right over your child as the mother. So, don't undermine your case just because you are a father. Winning custody can be difficult but not impossible.

That said, you need to consider the below-mentioned points if you want to win your child's custody.

1. Regular Child Support Payment

The first question you need to be prepared to answer is your capability to support the child. There's no other alternative to a regular payment of all the child's necessities. Be solvent enough to support you & your child.

Without financial solvency, the court will announce you incapable to bear your child's expenses &, you might lose the case.

All the best Mens Legal attorneys will always advise you to clear those payments timely. Any delay in making the payment will make the judge think that you are not interested in maintaining your child's expenses.

However, if you have informal earning sources, the judge would like to see the proof of payment & your records. So be prompt with these documents.

2. Strengthen Father-Child Bond

As a father, you love your child & make time for your kid. However, in the case of a court hearing, you need to show all the supporting documents for your child maintenance.

These include attending the teacher-parent meetings, taking him to doctors for regular checkups, attending school's play or sports events, helping with the school projects, taking him to and from school, getting to know his teachers, coaches, school administrators & other elder persons in your kid's life.

These documents are crucial in winning custody as they represent your responsibility as a parent. However, you need to do this for the betterment of your child, not only for custody. So, even if you lose custody, keep on doing your responsibilities diligently.

3. Remain Connected

If you live far away from your child, be sure to provide the supports that your child requires. Again, keep receipts & records of what you are doing for the child. This is significant in the later part of custody.

You need to document the expenses you make for your child, such as writing checks to his mother, paying total or part of school fees, buying equipment, paying for the daycare service & other child-related expenses.

Keeping documents of each payment gives you a firm ground regarding your demand for custody.

But don't flatter yourself by showing off too much. If you don't win the case, showing your stronger financial position may leave you with a much higher child support obligation. Be sure to consult with a child custody attorney for better understanding.

4. Attending Important Events

Whether you are looking for full or joint custody, you need to show the court that you are capable of taking care of your child. As a part of that commitment, you need to take some time out of your schedule to attend the various functions & events of your child.

You can't miss his game day, baptism, important events, sports events, parental meetings, birthday parties, etc. This involvement with your child is significant for the court in giving the verdict.

5. Have Their Places Ready At Home

As legal proceedings for the court hearing progress, the judge will ask you about the child's accommodation facility. You need to accommodate room or space for your kid to stay.

Even if you live in a small place, you need to make space for your child. Otherwise, the judge will find it as a major drawback & failure. Chances are, you may not win custody.

6. Show Respect & Politeness

Even if you had to go to court for your child's custody, don't show disrespect towards your child's mother in front of your child. She's still the mother & at all costs, you need to respect that.

That is why you need to be polite & behave gently in the courtroom. Control your temper at all costs & check your negative thoughts. How you talk about your kid's mother affects the judgment significantly.

So, try to be as relaxed as possible. Be supportive while debating an issue. No matter what happens, avoid heated arguments.

7. Be Clear To Yourself

Winning custody is not about your ego or revenge. Ask yourself whether you are fit to take care of your child full time. Apart from all of your other responsibilities, you need to give your child enough time. If you plan to keep him in a rich, developed daycare center, back off immediately.

Fight for custody only when you feel it's for your child's betterment.

8. Value Experience

It's always better to ask from an experienced lawyer who has been there in the court hearing & has won several custody cases so you know what questions to expect & how to approach. Take this approach even if it costs more.

When looking for attorneys, make sure they are reputed and have the right expertise.

9. Future Planning

In the later stages of custody, the judge will want to know your plans about the child's future, education, accommodation, health, etc. The judge may also ask you questions about the emergency circumstances & want to see your responses. That said, you need to be articulate while providing future plan.

10. Mediation Services

You need to maintain a cooperative relationship with the child's mother for your child's benefit. Court hearings can end up in toxicity. Hire an expert mediator to avoid this bitter situation.

A child custody expert can be a mediator & solve the issue by allocating joint custody or full custody, depending on the situation. It's also hassle-free & less costly than court hearings.

Final Thoughts

The path to battling and winning your child's custody can be overwhelming but throughout the process, you have to be patient, decisive, and focused on your child's betterment.