Thursday, May 18, 2017

4 Things You Didn't Know About Custody Disputes

Almost without exception, custody disputes are the most stressful aspect of contested divorces. With both parents wanting to remain actively involved in their children's lives, the debate over how custody should be divided is often heated. In order to improve your chances of being awarded custody of your children, it is important that you educate yourself on the various important aspects of custody disputes. Our Lake of the Ozarks divorce attorney is here to help by shedding some light on some of these aspects.


4 Things You Didn't Know About Custody Disputes

1. The Court Only Cares About The Children's Best Interests.
Here's the bottom line: when the court awards custody, they do so in the way they believe will account for the children's best interests. Modern courts recognize the important roles both parents play, so whenever possible they will likely try to divide custody (or at least award ample visitation time) so that the children can spend plenty of time with each parent. However, if the court determines that one parent is unable to provide for the children's best interests, their custody or visitation rights may be severely limited.

2. Your Career May Impact Your Ability To Gain Custody.
Raising children requires a significant investment of time, energy, and devotion. Children need almost constant interaction with and attention from their parents in order to thrive. If your career demands that you travel frequently or work incredibly long hours, the court may choose to limit your custody based on the fact that you will not be able to be physically present with your children as much as they need you to be.

3. You Have To Be Cordial With Your Spouse.
Since you're getting divorced, it is probably safe to assume that you and your spouse are not on the best of terms at the moment. Nevertheless, it is imperative that you remain as cordial and cooperative as possible. As stated earlier, the court is trying to decide which parent will be able to provide for the children's best interests. If you routinely started heated arguments with your spouse (or other adults), the court may assume that it's only a matter of time before you turn that wrath towards your children.

4. Your Behavior Matters... A Lot.
You're probably aware that the way you interact with your children will influence your chances of being awarded custody, but as we just discussed, it is imperative that you avoid unnecessary arguments with your spouse and other adults. It is also critical that you exhibit responsible behavior in other aspects of your life; if you drink heavily, abuse substances, overly engross yourself in work, rush straight into a new relationship, or exhibit types reckless behavior, the court may deem you unfit to provide for your children's best interests.

Contact Our Firm For Assistance

If you are preparing for (or in the middle of) a battle for custody of your children, it is important that you secure representation from an experienced divorce attorney in Lake Ozark, MO. Your divorce attorney will be able to coach you through the process, shedding light on the strategies that may improve your chances of being awarded custody and which tactics may do more harm than good.

If you are looking for a divorce lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, we hope you'll consider Gibbons Law Firm. Call us at 573-348-2211 to schedule your initial consultation.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.




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Gibbons Law Firm
2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 348-2211

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