One of the most important considerations in a Florida child custody suit relates to which parent served as the primary caretaker during marriage. This is the parent who will hold more weight in the litigation process, and, ultimately, the court will probably side with this parent when it comes time to render a decision. Some parents may have two primary caretakers and the court might award joint physical custody. Other parents could have one parent who clearly provided for the majority of the children’s daily care needs.
To be in the best position during your court case, you’ll want to show the court that you have been — and continue to be — deeply involved in the care or your children. Here are two strategies to do that:
Maintain a strong relationship with your children: Depending on your current situation and the access you have to your children, it could be challenging to maintain a strong and deep parent-child relationship. However, it’s important to do whatever you can to stay in touch with your kids — even if it’s only through the phone or video chat. Having a solid relationship like this will help you prove your status as an involved parent if the other side of your dispute tries to challenge your relationship in court.
Keep a child custody journal: A child custody journal details your daily involvement and activities with your kids. It may also include pictures. This is an excellent way to show the court how you’ve played an active role as a parent in their lives.
There’s a lot more you can do to pursue a favorable result in your child custody suit. If you need additional guidance, our Florida family law office is available to help.