| Child custody cases are always nerve racking | | | | proved wrong, you will suffer the consequences for |
| because there is so much at stake for you and your | | | | the life of the process. That process could last for |
| child. If you’re new to filings and hearings though | | | | many years if you are involved in a high conflict child |
| it can be put you even more on edge. This is a new | | | | custody battle. |
| world that you have no experience in so how will you | | | | Once you list the items that you are asking for and |
| know if you are making the right decisions? | | | | why they are in the best interest of the child in your |
| The first thing you want to do is understand that the | | | | filing, you will want to make a sheet for yourself that |
| family court child custody system is a civil court not a | | | | has bullet points of every issue documented in your |
| criminal court. You will want to educate yourself | | | | filing. While the filing is complete and you will want |
| about your local jurisdictions procedures, protocols | | | | your copy in court, it will not have the bullet points of |
| and rules. You will want to pay close attention to the | | | | each item. Judges frequently lose track of what has |
| steps involved in the custody process. Know what | | | | been covered. It is your job in court to make sure |
| each step is for and how it fits in the big picture. | | | | that each item you filed about was covered in the |
| Of course you are asking “why do I want to | | | | hearing. If not, you will not get a ruling and will need |
| know the whole process for my first meeting?”. | | | | to file an additional motion to cover the missed |
| You want to know as much as you can because you | | | | points. |
| want to be successful at your first hearing and set | | | | Be certain that your filing is clear about each item and |
| yourself up for success for the rest of the child | | | | does not ramble. The reason is that judges will read |
| custody process. The more successful you are early | | | | your filing before the hearing and be familiar with it. |
| on, the more likely you will get the results you want | | | | You will get about 15 minutes with the judge for |
| and end your case early in the process. | | | | both sides to present their case and for the judge to |
| The first hearing is where you are going to lay out | | | | ask questions and rule. You may likely leave with at |
| your child custody case including exactly why you | | | | temporary order. That order may become the basis |
| want to make the changes you want and why they | | | | for your final child custody order. |
| are in the “best interests of the child”. You | | | | To summarize, you need to lay out your filing clearly |
| do not want to include any drama about the other | | | | because it may be the basis for a permanent order, |
| parent as the drama between the parents is no | | | | make bullet points to yourself and be prepared to do |
| relevant to the case unless it directly affects the | | | | the whole thing in your 5 minutes in court. |
| child. If you make that claim and then are later | | | | |