Any kind of court appearance can be intimidating, especially if it is one surrounding your children and child custody. The ultimate goal of the court is to put the best interest of the child first and create an arrangement that serves their physical, mental, and emotional needs. But as a parent, you must be prepared before going into your child custody hearing.
Child custody matters are usually handled in a small setting. The typical courtroom may be much smaller and more intimate than you would expect, with very few people present. While the hearing is taking place, the judge wants to be sure that the child is in a stable environment where they can adjust to the changes. They will look at a number of factors before determining the final agreement.
During the hearing, the judge will look closely at each of the homes that the child may live in. This is to determine that the homes are safe and close to schools, health care and shopping. They will also take into consideration the room-to-people in the household ratio so they can be sure that the house the child is living in full time can accommodate all residents of the home appropriately.
If you want to be the sole custodial parent, there are some things you are going to have to prove. You must prove that you can provide the bulk of emotional support and guidance for your child. Doing this may include showing the judge your work and social schedule to show them that you have an adequate amount of time to take care of your child.
A child custody hearing may involve multiple testimonies from the parents, the child, and any witnesses such as family members, school officials, etc. Each of the parties will testify on their communication and experiences with the child and how they feel each parent benefits the child in which ways. They may present their opinion on who they feel should be the custodial parent of the child.
Child custody can be difficult to maneuver, so it is important to always seek the guidance of a Glendale child custody attorney. contact to schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney at The Sampair Group that will fight for your parental rights.