A child custody case can be mentally and emotionally challenging to go through, especially for the child. Luckily, in a custody case, the court will always prioritize the child’s best interests over the parents. This also means that parents must play their cards right so they don’t lose custody of their children.

There are a lot of questions that cross a parent’s mind during a child custody case: ‘What if my partner refuses to cooperate with me?’, ‘What are my rights to travel with my children?’, ‘Will my old case affect my custody rights?’ and so much more. These concerns are valid; even unintentional mistakes can affect your custody case. This article lists the top five things that can hurt your child custody case.

1. Ignoring Court Orders

If one of the parents disobeys temporary guidelines, such as custody arrangements, visitation schedules, etc., it will be taken as a sign of disrespect to the court’s authority. It would also give the image that the parent is not reliable.

For example, suppose the court does not allow a parent to take their child beyond a specific area, such as the state or city, but does so anyway. In that case, the court will consider that they are unreliable on matters regarding the child. The court values parents who are responsible, and disobeying direct court orders will damage the parents’ credibility.

2. Badmouthing the Other Parent

The court prioritizes the environment surrounding the child. This means that both parents need to be enriching the child’s life. The court does not favor parents who argue around the child or badmouth the other parent.

Parents arguing or badmouthing each other spreads negativity in the child’s life. This could cause serious mental and emotional scars on the child. The court encourages both parents to remain civil and work towards the child’s betterment.

3. Lack of Parental Involvement

Before finalizing the child custody terms, the court considers the level of involvement both parents have in the child’s life. It is ideal that both parents spend quality time with their children and create a healthy bond. The court usually favors the parent who actively participates in the child’s life.

It could be helpful to keep a record of the parents’ involvement in the child’s life. This could involve participation in the child’s education, extracurriculars, health, caregiving, etc. A parent who neglects their child has no chance of getting custody.

4. Violating Co-Parenting Agreements

The court does not favor parents who are hostile toward one another. If a parent violates the co-parenting agreement terms and tries to distance the other parent without a reasonable explanation, they may face legal trouble. The court will always prioritize the child’s needs over the parents’ conflicts.

Even a verbal threat of withholding visitation rights could affect the parent’s standing in the custody case. A parent can, however, refuse visitation if they think that the other parent poses a danger to their child, such as if the other parent is abusive or the living conditions are unsanitary. It is crucial that both parents communicate properly and be flexible when it comes to their child.

5. Substance Abuse or Criminal Activity

Parents need to provide foundational values that can enrich a child’s life. A parent who has a history of substance abuse or a criminal record is not favored by the court. Such a record can be used against the parent in court.

The court can even look into minor legal issues to ensure the child’s safety with both parents. A parent with a clean record is most likely to get a favorable outcome. Parents with criminal records can try to get custody or visitation if they can prove that they have reformed.