Create a Child Custody Checklist

child custody

The issue of child custody tends to be one of the most contentious points of many divorce cases. With this in mind, if you are heading towards a divorce case you must be proactive. This includes developing a strategy should child custody become a hotly contested issue in the case. The starting point in developing a strategy is the creation of a child custody checklist.

Make a Summary of Your Strengths and Weaknesses as a Parent

The first step in preparing for a potential child custody dispute in divorce proceedings is making a list of your strengths and weaknesses as a parent. The list of strengths and witnesses should be fairly detailed. The assessment you make must be as honest as possible. In creating this list, you may want to call upon someone you trust, who knows you well and can assess your abilities.

Make a Summary of the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Other Parent

You need to prepare a similar list of strengths and witnesses of the other parents. As is the case with your own list, you need to be relatively detailed and your assessment must be as honest as possible.

Develop Negotiation Points

The family law system is designed to encourage a settlement of issues in divorce proceedings whenever possible. This includes child custody matters.

With this in mind, part of child custody checklist is identifying your own parameters when it comes to the prospect of negotiating custody-related issues with the other parent. In simple terms, these parameters focus on what your bottom line position will be regarding legal custody, physical custody and parenting time. As part of this process, you need to attempt to determine what the other parent’s bottom line will be regarding custody.

Identify Witnesses

Identify those individuals who can provide testimony in favor of your position regarding child custody issues. You will want to reach out to these individuals about the possibility they may be needed in custody proceedings to support your position in the case.

Wrapping up the child custody checklist is retaining a lawyer. If you anticipate issues surrounding child custody, make certain you retain an attorney with a recognized depth of experience in this arena. A lawyer usually will schedule an initial consultation about child custody issues at no cost to you. An initial consultation should be scheduled as soon as possible after a decision to divorce has been made or a case has been filed against you.