One of the our favorite areas of cross examination to use against a father when we are representing the other parent is the fact that a father wants primary custody or a 50/50 possession schedule, yet they wouldn’t voluntarily pay to support the child.  Even better, if the child is a baby and the Father won’t even buy diapers or formula.  If you are a father and you want a chance in court, there is absolutely no excuse for failing to pay something in child support or to help with groceries and supplies.  Judges hate this, especially Judges that have children of their own or who were once Family Law Attorneys.  The child support paid doesn’t have to be 100% in line with the child support guidelines, but something better be paid without a court requiring a father to pay if that father wants any credibility in court.  This is obvious and easy for a father to do and it makes a father look good to the judge, especially since that same judge probably hears countless child support cases where a deadbeat father won’t do anything voluntarily to financially support their child.

When a father comes into court asking for primary custody or a 50/50 split and they cannot show a consistent pattern of interaction with the child or at least showing they’ve tried to visit and have possessions, they will lose their case.  An uninvolved father doesn’t stand a chance against a mother in family court unless there are some terrible bad facts to use against the mother.  If a father can show that they are ready and willing to be involved with the child they may get some favorable treatment from the judge, especially if an experienced Fathers’ Rights Lawyer is able to make the mother look selfish and spiteful but denying the father possession and access without a good justification.  moreover, a Father should always keep in mind that success in their case may require “playing the long game.”  In that, if a Father wants primary custody, success in the original custody case may be getting the Extended Standard Possession Schedule or a 50/50 Split.  Then it will become even easier to request more time in future cases and chip away at the mother’s advantages in a child custody case.

Always remember, you will probably ask for time with your child and be denied.  While that is not good for you or the child, it can help your custody case.  Make sure you  follow up on your oral requests with written requests through text, email or other communication methods and save the message.

To Learn More about your ability to win your Fathers’ Rights case in Montgomery, Harris, Grimes, Waller, Walker, Brazos, Washington & Surrounding Counties
contact our experienced Texas Fathers’ Rights Lawyers in The Woodlands | Conroe, TX and Bryan | College Station to develop a winning plan.

 

Doctors appointments, meet the teachers, holiday performances, extra curricular practices and events, whatever your child has going on in their lives make sure you participate.  Take them to practices without complaining, and attend every event and performance without fail unless it’s not feasible for your job.  Whatever sacrifices you have to make to be apart of your child’s life, do it if you truly want more time with your child.  Additionally, never use the excuse of “well their mother wouldn’t tell me when the practice was or where the game was.”  You know what will sound better in court?  A man that testifies that the mother would never tell him about practices or the locations but they went the extra mile and found out through other sources in order to make sure they attended.  Testimony like that makes a father sound dependable and serious, and even better, (as far as evidence to use in court to win a custody case)  it makes the mother sound like a terrible person and not someone that can be trusted to act in the best interest of the child.  Always reach out to the other parent and ask about appointments and events so you can attend.  When you go, make sure you never get into a conflict with the mother and, if possible, don’t bring your significant other to the event if this is an Original Suit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship.  Not that bringing someone is terrible, but it just removes one distracting element from your case.  If the child’s parent won’t respond to your requests or is evasive, save the communications.

To Learn other strategies for winning your Fathers’ Rights case in Montgomery, Harris, Grimes, Waller, Walker, Brazos, Washington & Surrounding Counties
contact our experienced Texas Fathers’ Rights Lawyers in The Woodlands | Conroe, TX and Bryan | College Station for a free case evaluation.

This shouldn’t require much explanation.   Even if you are going to a state like Colorado that allows the use of marijuana, don’t do it right now.  Some judges are very conservative especially in counties like Montgomery,  Grimes, Waller, Walker, Brazos, and Washington.  Just don’t do it.

In any child custody case, a parent is going to lose their temper.  It will happen.  However, when you are a father trying to win a custody case, you can’t afford to lose your temper too often, and if possible, never do it in writing.  Inflammatory text messages and emails are regularly admitted as evidence in court and if these messages are frequent or considered harassing or abusive, it can kill a fathers’ case.  Do your best to appear cordial, friendly, reasonable, and helpful if possible.  If your spouse needs a babysitter, always volunteer and even drive to pick up the child.  Things like this will go a long way.