Law & Society

Divorces are often painful and dirty for the couples and it can be even worse if you have a child. The immediate problem after the divorce is of child custody. It is often thought that mothers are given more priority over fathers as they can take care of the child better than fathers who are mostly busy with work. However, for a father the thought of losing a child can be terrifying. Mothers are given priority, but courts decide each case on its merit and keep the best interest of child in mind before any decision is reached.
For fathers, who are looking for the custody of their child, it is important that they should know the level of responsibility that comes with bring up and taking care of a child. During a court meeting or a custody hearing, it is important that the father should come prepared for the task ahead. The father should cover all the bases as the judge would want to see whether the father is responsible enough to be given the responsibility of the child. Hiring an attorney is one thing but seeking out information and giving personal attention hold great significance. You should read about the various child custody laws in your region and the different kinds of custodies that can come up during a decision. Also, you must be honest to yourself and the child. You must ask yourself whether you can really take care of the child or not.
In order for a father to win a custody battle, it is imperative that he and the attorney involved should have a good working relationship The attorney should know all the details about the case; that include any details of the relationship with the mother and the child. In most custody cases, the behavior and relationship with the child matter most. Most of the courts decide on the cases by judging the previous history of each individual parent. The relationship with the child and most importantly what the child wants.
For fathers, even before the custody is awarded to them, they should be aware that taking care of the child is not easy. For working fathers, it can become difficult to take care of the child. The court likes to be convinced how the father would take care and provide for the child as the father works and remains away from the house. The father should have all the answers and explanations, as these are the conclusive issues in making the final decision
In most cases if the child is small, the court would grant joint custody giving more time to the mother. As the child gets older and if the father wants, he can apply full physical custody or a joint physical custody. The courts decision would be based on taking the past events into account and how the case is pleaded by both sides. The vigilance and personal attention in the case can help the father secure the custody, but both parents should keep this in mind that the will of the child and the circumstances will decide the outcome.