What Not to Do During an Illinois Child Custody Battle

 Posted on November 27, 2019 in Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Divorce is filled with issues to settle and decisions to make, which can pose a challenge for some couples, especially if they are not on the best of terms. All couples argue about things from time to time, but divorcing couples have often reached the point where disagreements become heated very quickly and can elevate to all-out wars. When it comes to decisions involving the children, these arguments can become even more hostile, and resolving them can be a very emotional process. If your divorce reaches the point where you have to go to court to come to a resolution on matters related to the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, you will need to convince the judge that you will be able to provide for your children's best interests. There are certain things that you should avoid doing when you are fighting for a favorable parenting plan:

Resist the Urge to Complain on Social Media

Social media is present in many peoples’ lives these days. In divorce cases, it can become a tool in your ex’s arsenal to use against you if you are posting the wrong type of things on your timeline. Even if you are just sharing a photo of yourself and your new partner, your ex could use it in a negative way, perhaps by claiming that you are more focused on your new relationship than on your children's best interests. Be extremely cautious of what you post online during your divorce proceedings, and above all, do not post anything directly pertaining to your case.

Do Not Try to Turn the Kids Against Their Other Parent

A tactic that some parents resort to during a custody battle is attempting to manipulate the children to "take their side" against the other parent. This type of behavior is inappropriate and highly unfair to your children. Even if you loathe your ex, your children deserve to have a healthy, loving relationship with both of their parents, and attempting to get in the way of that can cause them emotional harm. A judge will be able to recognize this kind of behavior and will not take kindly to it.

Try to Keep Your Emotions in Check

As stated above, any decision involving your children is going to be a difficult one. Your children are your number one priority, but the nature of divorce means that you will be unable to avoid spending less time with them. The loss of control you are feeling and the impending changes in your life can cause your emotions to cloud your judgment at times. However, you should not make decisions rashly, and you should do your best to avoid emotional outbursts in court. It is important to remember that every decision you make should be in your child’s best interests, even if that means that you will not spend every day with them or get to see them on certain holidays.

Contact a Kane County Divorce Lawyer

At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we understand how emotional custody battles can become. Our skilled divorce attorneys can guide you through the process of determining parenting time and parental responsibilities while fighting for your parental rights and your children's best interests. Any decision you make involving your children can be difficult, but having a knowledgeable and compassionate St. Charles allocation of parental responsibilities attorney on your side can be an immense help in securing a favorable outcome. Call our office today at 630-409-8184 to schedule an initial consultation.

Sources:

https://www.liveabout.com/child-custody-mistakes-single-parents-make-2997845

https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/5-mistakes-fathers-should-never-make-in-divorce-court/

https://www.verywellfamily.com/dos-and-donts-for-winning-child-custody-2998180