If you are a father seeking custody of your children, then there are a variety of situations that you are going to want to avoid. First of all, you are going to want to be cautious about out-spending your spouse in the illusion that this will help you to get custody of your children. Some fathers assume that if they hire a more expensive and better lawyer, this will help to break their spouse's bank and allow them to get custody of the children. This is not necessarily true, as the court will evaluate parental custody in light of what is in the best interests of the children. This means that there is a possibility that the parent with the cheaper lawyer could still win the custody battle if this is in the best interest of the children.
In connection with this pitfall to avoid, parents should be cautious to avoid over-extending themselves when it comes to financial issues. If a parent overspends it can lead to financial ruin, which can then reduce that parent's ability to care for the children. The court will typically choose a parent with a sound financial record. Also, if a parent is overgenerous with spousal support, it may discourage the other spouse from getting a job. With the mother financially secure without a job, the father in a relationship may have a harder time getting custody of the children.
Also, fathers should work hard against surrendering their rights in child custody cases. Even if it seems to be an uphill battle, it is important to keep trying to secure custody of the children. Many fathers deeply regret their decision after they choose to give up on their rights to custody because it seems to be too difficult. If a child custody order is not fair or does not work well with your family, then you may also have the right to ask for a modification of orders. Don't hesitate to contact a San Fernando Valley family lawyer to insist on your father's rights in your divorce!
