Child Custody - 7 Ways to Improve Your Chances of Getting Physical Custody

If you have heard the threat of having your child custody taken away and never seeing them again you’re not alone. This is a common threat in parents who have recently broken up or parents who were never together and have a child together. But beyond the threats, what can you do to improve your chances of gaining physical custody?

There are a number of things you can do proactively that the court will appreciate and find in your favor.

1. Be familiar with your child's friends. No their names, ages, parents, and where they live.
2. Know everything there is to know about your child's school. Who their teacher is, where the school is, the school name, the grades they get, their strong subjects, their weak subjects, what lunched are provided.
3. Volunteer at your child's school. Spend time there every week helping in the classroom. Join the PTA, volunteer to chaperone events or fieldtrips.
4. Know your child's medical information. Know their doctor’s name, their specialty, their hours, what hospital they practice at. Have a copy of their immunization record and know when their next one is due.
5. Volunteer with your child's sports teams. Enroll them in one if needed. Know the schedule, the coach and whether your child enjoys it. Know what other activities they enjoy.
6. Throw your child's birthday party and invite the other parent. Throw it in a public place if needed. Invite the grandparents on both sides. Don’t ask for anything from the other parent but graciously accept help if offered.
7. Note any attempt by the other parent to keep you from doing the things on this list.
8. Most important, know you child. When asked to describe your child, make sure you know describe their personality not their physical traits. Practice writing it before you go to court and have a friend review and critique it.

The thing that the courts want to know is that you are an involved parent. Involved parents know what their child, thinks, feels, and does. Involved parents are likely to stay involved in their child's life. Courts do not want to see parents simply pass the time with their child but really be involved. The more involvement you can show that you have with your child, the more likely you will be awarded physical custody.

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