Fighting over child custody is one of the most heart-wrenching battles any parent can go through. Not only do these battles take immense amounts of time, energy, and money, but they also often come very soon after some sort of family or relational trauma such as divorce, separation, or abuse. Child custody battles are agonizing to fight, but they are not battles you can afford to lose - the lives of you and your children are at stake. Three Things to Consider In order to win, you must prove to the court that you are the best guardian and caretaker of your children. There are a few things you should keep in mind to accomplish this. First, no matter how bad the situation at home gets, don't leave your children. All too often, a parent will leave the house, seeking to defuse confrontations with their spouse. While such an action appears perfectly reasonable from a relationship standpoint, in the eyes of the court it looks a lot like abandonment. Keep in mind that status quo is very, very important in child custody battles. Courts usually seek to avoid disrupting children's lives, and try to maintain the status quo, if at all possible. If you are trying to change your children's living situation, you will need to convince the judge that the way things currently stand is unacceptable - no easy task. Second, find good legal help immediately. In a child custody battle, every little piece of information and every seemingly insignificant statement or action can become important. Make sure you have the legal advice needed to make the right choices every step of the way. On a similar note, don't sign anything, make any deals or agreements, or take any major actions without first consulting your attorney. Thirdly, be aware that the court system is imperfect, and doubly so when dealing with a highly subjective matter like child custody. Appearances count for a lot. The people you associate with, the jobs you take, the area in which you live - all these things will influence the court's decision. Furthermore, court personnel are often overworked and do not have the time or energy to delve deeply into complex matters. It is your job - and that of your attorney - to make sure that all relevant information comes to light. Be smart. Any parent may find themselves in a child custody battle at any given time. Don't let yourself be caught off guard, but never forget the most important thing in any child custody dispute - the interests of your children. Regardless of your emotions and your desires, your duty as a parent is to do whatever is best for your children. For more information on child custody and related legal topics, visit the website of the Austin child custody lawyers of Slater & Kennon at http://www.slaterkennon.com. http://groups.google.com/group/custodyinfo/
