Every marriage is not meant to last forever. No matter what the reasoning behind the divorce, it is important to have legal representation for each side. I almost lost everything because my former spouse said that he was taking care of things and that he would be fair about how the assets were divided. It took several weeks for me to find out what he was up to. It was then that I hired my own attorney and got what I deserved. You should never attempt to go through a divorce without a lawyer working on your side. On my site, I have listed several of the issues that can get overlooked if you are inexperienced with divorce documents and proceedings.
Joy Johnson
As an unmarried father who wants custody of your child, you might not be sure what you need to do. Here are some tips to help you make a good case for yourself in family court.
Prove Paternity
Before you do anything else, you need to prove that you are the father of your child. Your name might be on their birth certificate, but because you are unmarried, you might have to show that you are biologically your child's father before you seek custody. You might have to have a paternity test done. Consult the family court to find out what the specific requirements are, as they vary from state to state.
Keep Track of What You Do for Your Child
To prove that you are a major part of your child's life and responsible for a lot of their expenses, it's a smart idea to keep a log of everything you do together. Keep notes about when you take your child to school, go to the doctor or take a trip to the playground.
Track how much money you spend on clothing and other items. You may already be paying child support ordered by the court, but if you can prove you are spending even more money, that could help your custody case.
Have a Safe Environment
To prove that you're a good candidate for custody, you'll have to be able to show that you have a safe, clean home for your kid. Not only should your home be neat and tidy for any home checks, you have to be sure that any guns or alcohol in your house are put into locked drawers and cabinets so that a child can not reach them.
Meet Other Adults That Influence Your Child
As a parent, it is always a smart decision to know others who influence your child on a regular basis. Getting to know daycare workers, teachers, scout leaders, Sunday school teachers and coaches can also help you in family court. These adults cannot testify about what they have not seen, but you can ask them to provide statements that support what you say about being in your child's day to day life.
You may even consider helping out on a regular basis. For instance, you might think about being a volunteer in your child's scout meetings or in their classroom. Not only will that give you more time to spend with your child, other adults will be able to observe how well you get along with your kid.
Use the information laid out in this article to help you take the steps necessary to gain custody of your child. Be sure to ask your family law attorney for more suggestions about what to do.
To learn more, contact a law firm like Fraser Legal PC.