It is a common misconception that courts will favor the mother as the custodial parent or even provide her with a larger time share with the child in cases involving child custody. It is important to be aware of the fact that the courts do not blindly award more custody to the mother in the state of California. In cases where both parties are good parents and are equally concerned about the well being of their children, fathers definitely have equal rights to custody. Know that the courts are just as concerned about the well-being of the children and consider it their prime goal to provide the best possible situation for children of divorce.
Due to this fact, it is very important for fathers to be proactive, open and honest about their goals. It is also very important to not get discouraged or guesstimate what the outcome of the proceedings will be based on hearsay. Complete equality should be exercised in custody situations and one way to guarantee that fathers attain these equal rights is by hiring an attorney that is skilled in dealing with custody situations. There are certain issues that if not dealt with properly, may negatively affect the case and cause the father to lose a substantial amount of time with their children.
Why an Attorney Is Necessary in Custody Situations
While it may be desirable for divorcing couples to sort out custody issues on their own to save money on attorney and court costs, doing so could end up causing a great amount of anguish in the future. Reason being, if custody orders are not filed with the courts, the custodial parent (the parent the child lives with) has a tremendous amount of control.
Without a custody order, the custodial parent could decide to refuse visitation, or move to another city, state or country, leaving the non-custodial without a document regulating them from doing so. In other words, without a custody order, some fathers/parents may be giving up their rights to guarantee that they will have a lasting relationship with their children.
An attorney will also be a great value to fathers heading into a custody battle by providing important tips on how to conduct themselves during the proceedings. For complex situations such as child custody, coaching is necessary and will be a great help by offering plenty of do’s and don’ts that will help produce the desired outcome.
For Instance, an attorney may advise:
- Take the time and enroll in a parenting class
- Become a good listener
- Stay involved or become involved with every aspect of the children’s lives (i.e. go to the doctor and dentist, etc with them)
- Do not bad mouth the other parent in front of the child
- Do not move out the family home unless there’s a court order
- Do not settle for something that’s not agreeable
Get the Help You Need
These and many more bits of advice can be provided by an experienced divorce attorney. Let the compassionate and knowledgeable family law attorneys at Bohm Wildish & Matsen help produce a favorable outcome and guarantee that your rights are withheld in a California court. Take action today!