how to fight custody battle without lawyer

by Earnestine Koelpin 6 min read

To apply to a court for a custody decision, you must file a complaint. Your lawyer can file the complaint for you, or if you don`t have a lawyer, you can file a complaint yourself. Custody cases must be filed in the child`s “State of origin”, i.e. the State where the child lived in the six months preceding the filing of the case.

For parents who want to file for child custody but who cannot afford a lawyer, filing pro se is a viable alternative. In addition, when you file without a lawyer, you learn a lot about the legal system, which can equip you to be your own best advocate.May 18, 2022

Full Answer

Should I fight for custody?

It is arguably the most emotionally destructive war you can wage in divorce court. But, sometimes you have no choice. We have all read the stories of the distraught parent going through a divorce who killed their kids, and then killed him/herself. If your spouse is violent or abusive, fighting for custody* is not a choice. It is a necessity.

How to win a custody battle in court?

Talk to a lawyer about your chances of actually winning your case before you start to fight. Better yet, talk to two lawyers. Ask them for their honest opinion about your chances of winning a custody battle in court. Then listen to their answers!

What to do if you don’t win custody of your kids?

Keep putting your kids first in every way. In the big picture, whether you “win” custody is not necessarily what matters the most. Maintaining a relationship with your kids is what matters the most. Even if the court decision doesn’t go your way, don’t let that deter you from caring about your kids.

Are You waging a custody war on your own?

That is the only way you can keep control over your kids’ lives, and your own. Remember, a mediocre settlement is still better than a bad court judgment. 2. Consult with experts before you start a war. Don’t even think about waging a custody war on your own! This is not Court TV. The stakes are high and the fight is long and complicated.

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How do you win a custody battle against a narcissist?

How Do You Win a Custody Case Against a Narcissist? Follow These 9 Steps#1 Remember That You Are Dealing With a Narcissist. ... #2 Take Note of Everything That Happens. ... #3 Stop or Limit Communication. ... #4 Contact Law Enforcement. ... #6 Ensure Your Physical Safety. ... #8 Continue Being Dependable. ... #9 Secure the Right Attorney. ... Stay Calm.More items...•

How do you beat a mother in a custody battle?

6 Tips to Win a Child Custody BattleFocus on the Best Interest of Your Child. ... Hire an Experienced Family Law Attorney. ... Work Together to Keep Things From Getting Ugly. ... Address Issues That Could Work Against You. ... Exercise Caution With Your Social Media Use. ... Stay Positively Engaged in Your Child's Life.

What do judges look for in child custody cases?

Mental and Physical Well-Being of Parents Parents' mental well-being is of great concern to a judge in a child custody case. Psychological disorders, overwhelming stress, drug or alcohol abuse, and mental health crises can prevent a parent from acting in their child's best interests.

What can be used against you in a custody battle?

The Reigning King of What Can Be Used Against You in a Custody Battle: Verbal or Physical Altercations. We wanted to start with the most simple pitfall to avoid: When tempers get high, it's quite alluring to get into a verbal sparring match with your ex-spouse.

2. How to Win a Custody Battle (with Pictures) – wikiHow

23 steps1.Figure out where you are in the case. This article assumes you have already filed for custody and attended any court-ordered mediation. If you haven’t, then 2.Identify areas of disagreement. You should also find out why the other parent is fighting you.

4. Is It Possible To Win a Child Custody Battle Without a Lawyer?

Jul 19, 2013 — Make a short summary to be read aloud in the court, favoring your case. Mark all the important key points for you to remember. Reach on time to (9) …

6. Custody Battle: 10 Things That Can Sabotage Your Case

As an attorney, making sure clients avoid these missteps is vital in figuring out how to win child custody for fathers. It is often an uphill climb due to (17) …

7. Top 7 Child Custody Strategies in Tennessee Divorce

How to Win Child Custody in a Tennessee Divorce. Best Tennessee custody and divorce strategies and strategic advice from Memphis divorce attorney Miles (21) …

8. 6 Tips to Win a Child Custody Battle – Attorney at Law Magazine

Mar 24, 2021 — This should go without saying, but sadly, a lot of parents lose sight of the most important thing: your child’s best interest. Here’s why: (24) …

9. What can be used against you in a child custody battle

Jun 11, 2020 — Divorce can be quite the draining process, without the added stress of trying to navigate it with children involved. However, regardless of the (27) …

10. How To Win A Custody Battle

How To Win A Custody Battle – Can You Win Custody Battle Without a Lawyer? Fathers who want to win a child custody battle must have the facts that (29) …

Child Custody Attorneys Manage Expectations

Child custody in North Carolina is complicated, and the court determines custody based on the best interest of the child, looking at multiple factors to make their decision, including:

Custody Lawyers Can Keep You Out of the Courtroom

North Carolina law requires parents to undergo custody mediation to avoid having a trial. Both parties meet with a mediator to discuss custody and work out a parenting agreement that both are satisfied with.

Your Child Custody Attorney Will Fight For You

Most importantly, having legal representation means you don’t have to fight for custody, your attorney will do it for you. Consider these benefits that a child custody attorney can bring to your case:

Schedule a Consultation with a Child Custody Attorney in Raleigh

If you would like to learn more about how a child custody lawyer can assist you, reach out to our experienced family law firm today. To schedule a consultation, call us at (919) 301-8843 or fill out the form below to learn more.

What to consider when trying to win custody battle?

The other thing you need to take into consideration when trying to win your child custody battle is what your ex is going to do. It doesn’t matter how reasonable and level-headed you are, if they decide to fight dirty then you’re almost guaranteed to lose your case.

What to do when you have a child custody battle with your ex?

The first and most important thing to do if you’re going through a child custody battle with your ex is knowing why you’re fighting for custody in the first place. There are a lot of people out there who want, or need, to win their child custody cases, but don’t know exactly what they’re fighting for. If this sounds like you, you might want ...

What happens if a non-custodial parent doesn't pay child support?

Myth #7: If the non-custodial parent doesn’t pay child support, the custodial parent loses their custody rights. This isn’t true, as it is entirely up to the court to decide how much the non-custodial parent must pay in order for them to have equal custody rights (or any at all).

What is the myth of child custody?

The Myths of Child Custody: Myth #1: The best parent is the one who most wants the child. This isn’t always true, as there are times when it is better to have two parents that don’t want to be with each other, but rather than fight they work together for their children’s sake.

What to teach kids during custody battle?

There are a lot of things that can go wrong if you’re going through a custody battle, but there are plenty of ways to use this as an opportunity to teach your kids valuable life lessons. This, in turn, will teach them to treat their children with kindness and respect even when they’re going through a bad period.

What to do if you are late to court?

If you’re late, don’t show up, or don’t let your ex know where/when/for how long your taking the kids then there’s going to be an issue.

Which state has the worst child support laws?

The state you live in or move to could decide the custody battle for you, whether it’s good or bad. Pennsylvania has some of the most stable law regarding child support and custody battles and California (yes, it is true) has one of the worst laws in this regard. A child support case can take years to settle out there!

2 attorney answers

This is an important issue and one that you should work with an attorney on. Consult with an attorney who can review the facts of the case and help you with the proper course of action.

Homer Perry Jordan IV

This asker is unaware that there is a high likelihood that 50/50 custody is sweeping the nation after untold numbers of fathers rights protests. The states fashioned a new paradigm in custody and visitation milking federal matching funds for child support while giving couples shared custody and entering order of child support nonetheless.

1. Do everything you can to settle out of court

Going all the way to trial in a custody battle is exhausting and expensive. Plus, you never know what a judge is going to do.

2. Consult with experts before you start a war

Don’t even think about waging a custody war on your own! This is not Court TV. The stakes are high and the fight is long and complicated. Do not try to do this on your own.

3. Dial down the drama

When parents fight, children suffer. I have seen well-adjusted, straight “A” students start flunking out and doing drugs after their parents started fighting over them in court.

4. Do your best to be objective

Is the custody that you are fighting for (whether that is joint custody or sole custody) really going to be best for your kids? Is there any way you can compromise without putting your children in the middle of a war?

5. If you are going to fight, do it for the right reasons

Protecting your kids from an abusive parent is a good reason to engage in a custody battle. Fighting about custody to gain leverage over your spouse in the money issues of your divorce is not.

6. Control Yourself

While you are going through a custody battle, you will be living your life under a microscope. Everything you do can potentially make a difference in your case.

7. Support your kids

No matter what is going on in court, you have an obligation to support your children. Period. Full stop.

avman

If you are not sure of the law and are fearful of the process I'd highly recommend you have an attorney. I know they are expensive, but we're talking about the future of your child here. Signing a document you don't understand, forgetting about a certain procedure, or not filing the right form can be disasterous and have huge repurcussions.

rocio

Here in Canada they have free legal aid available to people with a low income. I don't know if you have that in the U.S. or if you'd be eligible. But they are pretty flexible. I used them before and didn't quite meet their requirements (made too much money) but they bent the rules to help me out.

TheSmilingTurnip

Get over your pride and put your child first. Let your brother help you.

BeStrongBeHappy

I think that at a minimum you should accept enough money from your brother to have a quick emergency consultation with a lawyer before you have your initial hearing, just to learn your rights so you don't walk in to the mediation cold...

avman

Good for you. I'm glad you are getting some legal help with this. This is just too important to try to go through it alone.

jengh

oh god.... so much drama.... im so glad you hired a lawyer. This will make things so much less stressful...

fnlyfrei

Yes, custody battles are heart-wrenching. And even if YOU know that you are a good parent...a parents primal fear is of losing their child. The anxiety alone is enough to render someone into a boneless pile on the floor.

What to do when you are facing custody battle?

When you’re facing something as serious as a custody battle, it’s crucial that you get in touch with an attorney quickly. They know the law, have tried many cases just like yours, and can play both protector and peacemaker while working for the best-case outcome.

What do you say online in custody cases?

What you say online can negatively impact the outcome of a custody battle so it’s important to exercise caution. Social media posts can be used to assess your character and play a role in determining the outcome of your custody case.

What does a court decide about child custody?

When courts make decisions about child custody and visitation agreements they want to ensure both parents are a part of their children’s lives. Your attorney will let you know what to realistically expect and how to create an equitable parenting agreement and visitation schedule that’s fair to everyone.

What can an attorney do for you?

An attorney can help evaluate your personal circumstances and offer advice to give you the best chances of a favorable outcome. If any potential issues are uncovered, your attorney will advise you on what you can do to minimize the impact those things could have on your custody case.

Why is child custody so ugly?

Parents often use this as an opportunity to take out frustrations regarding their relationship with each other rather than keeping the focus on their kids.

Why don't you shift away from what's best for your child?

Don’t shift away from what’s best for your child because you’re trying to beat your ex. A heated custody battle takes a toll on everyone. Even babies are aware of and affected by the increased stress that goes hand in hand with separation and custody cases. Children feel anxiety just as adults do, and it can adversely affect their mood, ...

Can social media hurt custody case?

Anything that depicts you in a less-than-favorable light or exercising poor judgment could easily hurt your case. It’s advisable to err on the side of caution and refrain from using social media while you’re in the midst of a custody case.

What happens if a custody battle is not resolved?

If a custody battle cannot be resolved through discussions with a lawyer or mediator, it will go to court. A family court judge will hear the case and make a custody decision. Having legal guidance is always recommended and is even more important when a custody case reaches a court. An attorney experienced in custody fights can prepare an excellent case, illustrating why the client should receive custody of the children.

How to win custody of a child during a divorce?

During a divorce, parents often ask their lawyers to help them win custody of kids. There is no one best way to win custody and decisions can be made either inside or outside of court. Parents should know their custody rights, understand the factors involved in custody decisions, and do what is best for their children. If a battle over child custody develops, they should have a legal expert on their side. Getting a free consultation from an expert right now is your best bet to fight for your family.

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