Divorce, in and of itself, is an emotionally taxing undertaking. Things become even more difficult when a child is involved. One of the most difficult subjects you will have to deal with if you have a child with your ex is their post-divorce living arrangements.
While it is a fact of life that everyone makes mistakes, it’s important to understand that some mistakes can be very costly. Specifically, here are two missteps you want to avoid when it comes to the subject of your child’s custody:
Tarnishing your ex’s name
You might no longer be on the best of terms with your ex. However, tarnishing their name, especially in front of the child, is never a prudent idea. This could amount to parental alienation and it will not only complicate your custody matter but also have a lasting impact on the child. No matter how frustrated or upset you are, do not disparage your ex, whether online or offline.
Taking a hardline stand
Whereas you may have hard feelings about your ex, especially if they are to blame for the divorce, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is allowing those feelings to override the best interests of your child. Refusing to cooperate with your ex when it comes to the child’s well-being can give the judge the impression that you are likely to be a difficult co-parent. Whatever you do, never undermine an existing custody order or take a hardline stand when creating a parenting plan. Disobeying a court order, for instance, can result in serious consequences, including loss of custody.
Child custody can be a very emotional topic, especially if the divorce is acrimonious. Understanding your obligations and entitlements before, during and after a child custody ruling can help you avoid missteps that can not only hurt your custody case but your child’s best interests as well.
