| When fighting a restraining order during a custody | | | | fashion when fighting a restraining order. No matter |
| battle, one of the most important points of the case | | | | how difficult things are for you, the outward |
| will be the court hearing which will decide whether or | | | | appearance must be that of a strong parent, ready |
| not your temporary restraining order (TRO) becomes | | | | to regain control of his life and custody of his kids. |
| permanent (known as a PRO). Besides any | | | | Just remember - your partner is making a case |
| preparation or legal advice that you might choose to | | | | against you, and appearing as anything other than a |
| take for your defense, I'm going to share a tip that | | | | model citizen will not help you at all. |
| far too many fathers forget: how your conduct can | | | | Be reliable, appear at the hearing ahead of time, and |
| help decide the outcome of the case. I'm talking | | | | never make anyone wait for you. Always ensure you |
| about: | | | | know beforehand where you are going. You should |
| - Your composure | | | | have all the evidence you've gathered well organised, |
| - Your appearance | | | | so that you can find paperwork easily in the |
| - Your reliability | | | | courtroom - the last thing you want to appear is |
| These points might sound obvious, but when we | | | | flustered or unable to produce evidence during the |
| break them down they do affect a judge's opinion of | | | | hearing when you're fighting a restraining order! After |
| you, and no matter how sound your legal argument is | | | | the hearing in which my order was officially canceled |
| when you're fighting a restraining order, you still need | | | | by the court, I overheard my ex-wife discussing how |
| to pay attention to the basics of how you come | | | | calm I'd been - she was upset that my handling of |
| across. Your kids are relying on you to make the | | | | the case completely ruined the image of me she'd |
| right moves when you're fighting a restraining order - | | | | tried to portray to the judge. |
| you only get to see them grow up once. | | | | All of this, along with the steps I'd taken to produce |
| Basically, how you present and conduct yourself in | | | | evidence in the best way possible to the court, |
| court influences the case. You should stay calm at all | | | | meant that I ended up receiving 100% custody of |
| times throughout the proceedings - fighting a | | | | my two sons. There are thousands of fathers |
| restraining order due to phony abuse allegations are | | | | fighting a restraining order every day - and many of |
| difficult times, but you can't afford to let your | | | | them are winning. I'm here to let you know that it IS |
| emotions show in that courtroom. | | | | possible, and is easier than most people (including |
| You need to present yourself in a neat and tidy | | | | highly paid lawyers) would have you think. |