During a divorce or any other kind of challenging family situation where child custody becomes a contentious issue, it’s common to begin feeling anxiety about losing custody of a child. If you’re dealing with this, it’s important that you seek out legal counsel right away. At Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, we specialize in family law and always put children’s wellbeing first, so you can count on us constantly working towards your child’s best interests. Set up an initial consultation appointment to discuss the specific details of your situation, and read on for general advice for people finding themselves in a custody battle.
Get Rid of Any Vices
When the custody of your child is hanging in the balance, it’s essential that you put your best foot forward, so to speak. A judge assigning custody is going to look at every aspect of your lifestyle and character to determine whether you would be the ideal person to care for the child, your former spouse, grandparents, or someone else. Constant smoking, heavy drinking, gambling, and other vices do not bode well for a healthy home environment, so it’s best to discontinue these habits as soon as possible.
Put Finances in Order
A court custody battle can become ridiculously expensive with all of the legal, filing, and court fees, so make achieving financial soundness a top priority. Make and stick to a budget, build up a savings cushion and emergency fund, and reduce debt as much as you can. Look for ways to boost your income and maximize every penny. A judge will likely see someone who is financially stable as someone that can handle the extra responsibility and expense that accompany raising a child.
Have a Plan for How to Care of Child Post-Divorce
When you’re setting divorce terms, it’s easy to get bogged down in all the little disagreements that arise and the rush of such a big life change. Make developing a plan for how to take care of the child post-divorce a top priority. Will the child have his or her own room where you plan to live after the divorce is finalized? Where will he or she go to school and spend summer vacation? Will any grandparents or close friends help raise the child? It’s also a good idea to be in touch with close friends and family who could provide you with a character reference.
Healthy Stress Outlet
Everyone knows custody battles and divorces are incredibly stressful, and it can be tempting to drown your troubles in chocolate ice cream and potato chips. Overeating only leads to more stress and discomfort, though, so try to develop a healthy stress-relief habit. Go for daily walks, try meditation, pick up a new novel from the library, or schedule a weekly chat with a friend at a coffee shop. Keeping your sense of perspective and positivity in balance will lift your spirits and make it much easier to get through tough days during a divorce and custody battle.
