Family Law Tip 1: Understanding State Laws
When you file to obtain custody of your children, you want to make sure you know your Arizona laws regarding securing custody of your child or children. If this is not familiar, you can always ask your family law attorney to help you understand Arizona state laws pertaining to child custody.
Family Law Tip 2: The Better Parent Standard
Understanding the better parent standard is good to get as much information on if you can. The better parent standard comes into play when one parent asks to be the child’s sole legal decision maker or the children’s primary caretaker. The judge makes this decision if you have proof that you are, in fact, the better parent. Some examples of evidence may be things like drug use, alcohol abuse, or abuse. In these cases (if you can prove them), you may be able to have sole guardianship over your child or children.
Family Law Tip 3: Bring All Documents
Your lawyer will help obtain the proper documentation for the courts if you need to attend a hearing, but when in doubt, bring it all! If you have any phone logs, proof of negligence, or a schedule set up to share guardianship, bring it all. Bringing the proper documentation shows the courts that you are prepared and ready to argue your case.
Family Law Tip 4: Act Accordingly in Court
You must maintain your cool while in court. When you keep your cool, this means having no emotional outbursts toward the other parents. Having an emotional outburst can show the judge that you are not emotionally mature enough to have custody of your child or children and risk losing the battle for custody, which can be devastating. If you have hired a lawyer, he or she can help you roleplay before attending the hearing, which can help tremendously.
Family Law Tip 5: Educate Yourself on the Court Hearing
Another thing your divorce lawyer can help you with is to give you an idea of the court hearing process. When you know what to expect, there are no surprises. One fact to know is that in these types of court hearings, you will not have a jury, just a judge, and the judge makes the final decision on who obtains custody of the child or children. It is essential to make a good impression and have all the documents you need at the hearing.
Family Law Tip 6: Dress to Impress
Speaking of impressing the judge, you will want to make sure you have dressed appropriately and professionally for your court hearing. If you are a male, you might want to think about wearing a suit and tie and if you are a female, then make sure you do not show up in something too revealing. In custody battles, you are being judged from the moment you walk into the door, and all judges take custody of children extremely seriously.
Again, a child going through a divorce is one of the most troubling times in their life and can affect them in many ways. Make sure to watch out for signs after the divorce to know how your child responds to the decision. When you go through a divorce, you do not want to go through it alone, so make sure to contact the right legal help.
