How to Prepare Effectively for a Child-Custody Hearing

Child-custody cases are not an uncommon occurrence. With over 48% of marriages dissolving before their 20th year, there are bound to be plenty of cases concerning the custody of children set for hearing following these divorce arrangements.

Any good family law attorney or child custody lawyer will get you up to speed on everything you need to know about child custody hearings. Sometimes, however, the information your child custody lawyer gives you seems insufficient, and you may end up feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for the hearing.

If this describes your current situation, don’t fret; child custody hearings tend to be scary, especially if it’s the first time. While there are no tips for an easy win over child custody, there are a few things you could do in advance to better your chance of child custody. Doing these few things could easily sway the judge's decision to your favor because you’ll present a convincing case.

So apart from working in tandem with your child custody lawyer , here are a few things you could do before the child custody hearing.

Have a Firm Understanding of the Child Custody laws

Child custody laws are different for every state, so you should do your best to understand the laws of your particular state before the hearing. It can be a lot of work, especially if you have no background in any law-related field. However, reading the fine print will help you understand your position in the case and gauge your chances of success. If it’s too much work, you could always have your child custody lawyer assist you through the entire process.

Know What the Better-Parent Standard Is

In any child custody hearing, the judge has to decide which parent is a better fit to take care of the child. Being the better parent could be an uphill task, especially if your partner’s divorce lawyer has done some damage to your overall outlook. You can, however, consult with your child custody lawyers and other law practitioners in the area to find out what the state usually looks for in a parent.

Bring All Necessary Documents to Court

When it comes to the right documents, you should look for documents that will enhance your outlook as a better parent and not any document that could implicate you as unfit for parenting. You should always consult with your child custody lawyer on what documents to carry and what to leave behind. Proof of child support payments, annotated visitation schedule, and call logs are always great documents you should bring along.

Get Familiar with Courtroom Etiquette

Appropriate behavior in the courtroom will always work to your advantage in a child custody hearing. Your child custody lawyer should give you the low down on everything regarding courtroom etiquette including how to talk to the judge, procedural arrangements, and any actions that may damage your chances like accusatory statements. You could always try some roleplaying with your child custody lawyer so that you are fully prepared and aware.

Understand What to Expect

No amount of preparation can have you ready for a negative outcome, but it helps to firmly understand that these child custody hearings could go either way. With this in mind, it is advisable to know the procedural steps of a child custody hearing so you could anticipate the process. Child custody hearing cases are less combative and defensive and will be decided by a single judge and not a jury.

Dress Appropriately

Dressing sloppily or skimpily for any hearing will always work to your detriment. It is, therefore, important to dress appropriately so you make the right first impression to the judge. Always go with formal and conservative clothing like a suit.

There are plenty of lawyer services around the country that specifically handle court cases. Remember to have your lawyer help you through the entire process for education and support.