4 Actions To Avoid When Fighting For Custody Of Your Grandchild
Sometimes the best thing for a grandchild can be to live with their grandparents. The bond between you and your grandchild may be stronger than the one that they have with parents, especially if you have acted as a primary caregiver for part of or the entirety of a child's life. If you find yourself looking at family law and pursuing custody of your grandchild, avoid these actions that can be bad for you, your grandchild, and your case for custody.
Stop! Don't Allow Frequent Disruptions to the Child's Routine
The court may want to see that the child has a regular, healthy routine if you are seeking custody. Try to minimize any disruptions to it for the well-being of your grandchild and to best demonstrate your suitability as a guardian for your grandchild. Although you may be tempted to allow frequent changes to the schedule when things are in chaos in the custody-battle front, don't do it. Stand your ground when necessary and explain to others who may want to alter the schedule that you are adhering to it because it's what is best for the child.
Stop! Don't Let Your Grandchild Go Live Elsewhere
When you are fighting for custody of your grandchild, you may find that the little one's parents try to get you to let the child go live with them on a temporary basis until custody is solved. That is a very bad idea, since not having the grandchild currently living with you can work against you in court sometimes. Uprooting the child would probably not be in their best interests anyway, so don't let your grandchild go live elsewhere unless you ordered to do so by a court of law or under advisement of an attorney.
Stop! Don't Trash Parents and Other Adults in the Child's Life
If you are seeking custody because the child's parents are exhibiting bad behavior or are doing things that would be detrimental to the child, it can be very tempting to vent to the child. After all, they may have witnessed the bad behavior of their parents or may even fear them. However, nobody wins when you trash the parents and other adults to the child, but the grandchild can lose big in the scenario if they feel torn between two people who are fighting for custody.
Stop! Don't Discuss Messy Custody Case Details with the Child
The details of a custody case can be overwhelming for any adult with excellent coping skills. For a little one who does not yet have well-honed coping skills, being privy to the details of the custody case can be very detrimental to their mental and emotional health. Shield the child from the details of the custody fight as much as possible. Reiterate that everyone is acting out of love for the child, and leave it at that.
Finally, keep in mind that it is important to avoid the above mistakes and seek the assistance of an attorney who specializes in family law, such as Karen Robins Carnegie PLC, if you are seeking custody of your grandchild. Your lawyer can help provide guidance throughout the process, and they can stand up for you and your rights in court. You may be able to get custody of your grandchild, and you increase your odds by being on your best behavior and taking actions that the court looks favorably upon.
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