What are some of the worst mistakes a parent can make during a Louisville divorce and how will these affect child custody and parenting time goals?
Are you a parent who is either considering or about to begin the process of a divorce? Are you seeking at least a share of child custody and parenting time? What mistakes should you work to avoid?
The worst mistake a parent can make when seeking child custody and parenting time in a Louisville divorce is to fail to take an active part in every aspect of your child’s life prior to and during the divorce. Share the responsibilities of taking them to and from day care or school, to outside activities and attend every event associated with each child if possible.
This covers everything from parent-teacher conferences to recitals, sporting events, dance class, music lessons, and every other interest in your child’s life.
Make sure you are spending as much quality time with each child as you can. Are you helping them to study? Are you making the most out of each moment you get to spend with them? It is most important to spend time with each child and nurture a strong relationship prior to and throughout the divorce.
This is especially true if you believe custody and parenting time discussions will be contentious. Parents who are too busy to spend time with their kids and those who do not participate in their daily life face accusations of disinterest and disengagement during child custody and parenting time proceedings. The Judge will carefully consider the existing rhythms of each child’s life and the role each parent has been playing in every aspect of the child’s life up to and during the divorce.
Another of the worst mistakes a parent can make during a Louisville divorce is heated communications with their former spouse. The Judge will be carefully observing each party to establish their fitness as a parent as well as their ability to work with the other party as a co-parent.
Emotions run high during a divorce. It is too easy these days to be drawn into a heated texting conversation or to fire off a scathing email or voicemail. You need to presume every conversation, every communication, every email, text and voicemail and every social media post (public or private) will be displayed in open court for all the world to hear or read (including your children in the future).
Another of the worst mistakes a parent can make during a Louisville divorce is to put their own needs as a person and parent ahead of the needs of the child(ren).
Kentucky child custody and parenting law is rooted in one core principle: the best interests of the child.
The Court will listen to your child and so should you. If you want to protect your child custody and parenting time goals and objectives remain actively engaged and involved with your child’s life. Start every conversation and communication about custody and parenting time with the question “what is best for (child’s name).” Keep communications civil and professional. How you conduct yourself at all times, in and out of court, will have a substantial impact on the outcome of your case.
This is why it is so important to work with an experienced, proven divorce and family law attorney. We can help you to develop and implement a successful plan to accomplish your goals and objectives.
We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our former clients and contact us or call 502-584-1108 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced divorce and family law attorneys.
