Child Custody Battles: 6 Things Dads Should Know

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There is a common misconception that mothers will be granted “sole custody” of the children in a divorce. However, this is not the position at law as the court almost always grants “joint custody”, save for exceptional circumstances. Ultimately, the court will decide based on the child’s best interest.

Here are six things that Dads should know during a custody battle.

Prepare yourself

Do your homework by getting familiar with child custody laws. Seek advice from a family lawyer experienced in high conflict divorce cases to evaluate your case. Take the time to listen to their valuable advice, and do not take for granted that the judge will see only your point of view.

Child custody is not the same as Care and Control

It is vital that you understand the difference between child custody and care and control. As mentioned earlier, the Court is most likely to grant joint custody to both you and your ex-wife. However, only one party will be granted sole care and control of the children usually.

By granting joint custody to both parents, the Court wants to remind the parents that parenting does not end when the marriage ends.

Spouses are encouraged to co-parent and discuss significant decisions before implementing them for the children.

The parent with care and control of the children is the one who lives with them. He or she will make all the day-to-day decisions for the children. That includes the time the children wake up, what time to sleep, when they do their homework, etc.

An experienced divorce lawyer will explain the differences in greater details and advise you of your legal position in relation to custody, care and control during the divorce proceedings.

Read more: Divorced Fathers with Care and Control of Children

Fighting for full care and control of your children is an uphill battle

Unfortunately, for Dads, the general position at law is for the mother to be granted care and control of the children. However, all is not lost.

If you have been involved in the children’s care arrangements before the divorce, you may wish to highlight this pertinent fact to the court especially if you intend to ask for sole or shared care and control of the children.

Shared care and control effectively mean that the children will spend approximately equal time with both parents.

However, such an arrangement will require a lot of communication and cooperation between parents. The children will also need to adapt to such circumstances. You may consider asking your divorce lawyer for advice on the care arrangement most suited to your situation.

Read more: Child Custody for Fathers – Common Questions

Access to your children is your legal right

In the event that you do not get care and control, you will be given access to your children on a periodic basis.

You have a legal right to have access to your children as stipulated in the court order.

If your ex-spouse denies your rights to exercise access, you should consider speaking to her in view of resolving the matter amicably. Put her at ease if she is anxious and help her to get around the idea by bringing the children home on time.

However, if she is resistant, you can seek help from your divorce lawyer or make an application to Court to intervene and help you to gain access to the children.

Read more: Child Access: Arrangements Between Divorced Parents

Adultery on the part of your ex-spouse does not necessarily mean you get full custody as well as care and control of the children

Do not be mistaken that you automatically gain sole custody as well as care and control of your children if your ex-wife has been adulterous.

The reason for the breakdown of the marriage pertains to the first stage of the divorce matter, and the mere fact of adultery will not affect one’s merit in relation to custody, care, and control of the children.

You may consider applying to Court for a Custody Evaluation Report to be made.

A social worker or counsellor will speak with your children as well as other family members to determine the conditions at home before offering his or her recommendations to the Court. It is still the Court’s final decision to decide who gets care and control.

Read more: A Woman`s Adultery

Your children get a choice in some cases

The Court will listen to your children’s desires if they can express themselves in an independent and mature manner.

A family court specialist can be appointed to evaluate the child’s care arrangements.

The Court will then take the children’s desires to stay with either parent into consideration when deciding on care and control.

Read more: How can my Child’s Voice be heard in Access and Custody Disputes?

If you’re a father who needs help attaining custody and visitation rights of your child, contact our dedicated child custody lawyers.

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