The goal of the custody hearing is to determine what is in the best interest of the child. If you find that you are not able to win custody of your child, you might wonder why the act of you having custody would be against the best interest of the child. There are several things to look at.
Stability
One of the main concerns the courts have is stability. If one side having custody would lead to the child still living in the same house, the courts are more likely to want to give custody to that parent. Also, the courts will not want to take the child out of the school he or she is familiar with.
Love and Affection
Love, affection, and emotional ties are factored in when determining custody. This is something that can be difficult to quantify, but if it seems to the courts as if your child has a stronger bond with one parent over another, this is factored into who gets custody. If your child is old enough, he or she may even be able to decide who gets custody of him or her.
Sobriety
Drugs and alcohol are a common reason why one parent is denied custody of his or her child. If there is evidence that you are using illegal substances, that you are addicted to prescription medications, or that you are an alcoholic, this can be used as a justification for you to lose custody of your child.
Physical and Mental Illnesses
Drug use is often connected to mental illness. Many who suffer from mental illnesses self-medicate with drug and alcohol abuse. Untreated mental illness can lead to poor parenting and may also place the child in danger. Oftentimes, both a drug addiction and a mental illness need to be treated together for the patient to see progress before he or she is able to receive custody again. If you are suffering from severe physical disability and this prevents you from taking care of your child, this may also prevent you from having custody.
If you still don't understand how you can prove that your child's best interests would be served by you having custody, it's best to contact a child custody attorney. He or she will work with you to help you understand how you can prove that your child should be in your custody. You may also be able to obtain visitation rights.
Share24 June 2019
Adopting a child is a wonderful way to bring a child into your family and give a child that needs a home a loving environment to grow up in. Unfortunately, the adoption process is not easy to get through. If you fail to file one document, the adoption can be set back by months. This blog will show you what to expect as you work your way thorough the adoption process and give you a few ideas of the things that you should leave up to your family attorney. Hopefully, what I have learned through my two adoptions will help you get through yours with no issues.
