| A father can win custody of his kids if he is fighting a | | | | an understanding of when fighting a restraining order |
| restraining order - it's an undeniable fact, no matter | | | | is the legal process involved. If you've just been |
| what an angry ex or her lawyer says about the | | | | served a restraining order, it will be a temporary one |
| matter. Many, many fathers (myself included) have | | | | which is often called an "ex parte" order, and it will be |
| won 100% custody of their children using nothing | | | | valid for a few weeks. It will have been granted at |
| more than a mix of self-education, determination, | | | | an "ex parte" hearing requiring only the attendance of |
| honesty, and patience. However, your kids are relying | | | | your ex, and in the paperwork served to you, there |
| on you to make the right moves to allow that to | | | | will be a date for a second hearing. This may be |
| happen. | | | | referred to as an "Order to Show Cause" hearing |
| The first and most important thing is to get an | | | | date. This is where you should appear to defend |
| understanding of what's motivating your ex to file | | | | yourself in front of the judge. |
| the restraining order. | | | | The second court hearing is a crucial point in fighting |
| - Does she want to cause financial hardship by | | | | a restraining order - it's where you have your first |
| making you pay more legal fees on top of the | | | | (and often, only) chance to stop it becoming |
| custody case? | | | | permanent! |
| - Does she want you to get fired from your job or | | | | If you have a clear idea of the two things I've |
| prevent a job offer being made, when they see the | | | | discussed above (firstly, understanding the motivation |
| restraining order on your criminal record? | | | | of your ex, and secondly understanding the legal |
| - Does she want immediate custody of the kids while | | | | process involved in getting a restraining order |
| you wait on the court date to defend yourself? | | | | rescinded), you're already ten times more prepared |
| - Does she want the higher maintenance payments | | | | than your average father who's trying to win |
| which are often awarded when you're no longer | | | | custody of his kids. Too often, fathers think that |
| allowed to see your kids? | | | | fighting a restraining order in a custody case just |
| Basically, any father who wants to win custody of his | | | | involved throwing the most amount of money at |
| kids should sit down and really think of the reasons | | | | hiring a lawyer - and nothing could be further from |
| behind your ex filing the order - because an | | | | the truth. The single-most important aspect to |
| understanding how the other side is thinking is half | | | | winning custody of your kids is that you get involved |
| the battle already won. It's the best starting point so | | | | in your case - even if it's just to ensure your lawyer |
| that you can figure out how to fight a restraining | | | | is doing a great job for you, should you choose to |
| order. | | | | hire one! |
| The second most important element that you need | | | | |