Going through a divorce is difficult, and child custody battles, in particular, can turn bitter and ugly because a parent-child relationship is at stake. There is also a perception that courts tend to grant primary custody to the mother more easily than they do to the father of the child.
Here are three things that fathers should ask themselves and their children in order to help themselves during a child custody battle in Texas.
1. What does the child want?
While the wishes of the child will not be the sole deciding factor when it comes to granting custody, once a child reaches a certain age the court will consider their opinion. If the child is old enough to express their opinion, the father should ask them what type of custody arrangement they prefer.
2. How much time can I spend with the child?
The father should decide how much time they can realistically spend with the child both during the week and on weekends, and present this to the court if they believe it will help their case.
3. How involved was I prior to the divorce?
Similar to the previous question, this is something that fathers should ask themselves and present if they feel it shows them in a favorable light. If the father was heavily involved in parenting duties before the divorce, they should express this fact.
If a father wishes to have primary custody, asking certain questions can help them out and increase the chances that a court will award the father what they are seeking.
