A child custody battle can be nerve-wracking and stressing and it’s important to ensure that you are well prepared. The judge will ask questions to determine the kind of custody that is best for your children. Whether its sole custody or joint custody the judge will ensure that the interest of the children is taken into consideration. The judge will ask both parents questions to gauge who is best suited for child custody. It’s therefore imperative that you work with the best child support lawyers who will guide you on how best to answer the questions. Make sure that you answer the questions correctly and accurately because that will determine who is given the custody of the children. Ensure that you have all the necessary documents that you may need to refer to during the proceedings.
Questions the Judge Will Ask During a Child Custody Hearing
- What is your Financial Status?
The parent who is granted should be capable of taking care of the children and the judge will ask questions to establish your financial capability. Make sure that you can prove the financial resources that you have. The judge will need to ensure that you have the resources to provide shelter, food, and clothing to the children. Ensure that you have the documents that you have the support documents to show that have the financial capability. It’s important to have documentation for any debt you may have or any other financial obligation that you have such as other children you are supporting. Child custody is a crucial decision and its imperative that you have the right information. Work with the best divorce lawyer and ensure that you have all the documents and information required.
- What Kind of custody do you Want for your Children?
There are different kinds of child custody for as below
Legal custody
This is where the parent is given the right to make any decision concerning the child. The parent can make all decision concerning education, health care, and religion without asking the other partner.
Physical custody
The child lives with one of the parents and the other parent is given visitation rights. When the parents spend an equal amount of time with the children that are said to be joint physical custody. Joint physical custody is one of the most common types of custody.
Sole custody
In this kind of custody, the parent with noncustodial rights is given a chance to play a large role in the child’s life. The custody is either sole custody or sole physical custody. The noncustodial parent is given enough time to spend with the children
Joint Custody
The custody of the children is awarded to both parents and it can either be joint custody or joint physical custody.
It’s important that you understand the different kinds of custody and ensure that you choose one that works for you and your children. In most cases, joint custody is awarded as it serves the interest of the children. When joint custody is awarded it enables the children to maintain a bond with both children. Consult the family lawyer and choose the type of custody that best suits you and your children.
- How is the relationship and Communication with the other Parent?
A judge will want what is best for the children and most prefer to award custody to both parents because that will serve the interest of the children. To assess how the parents, relate the judge will ask how you and the other parent communicate and how often it happens. If joint custody is awarded the parents will be required to communicate often and it’s important to ensure they are able to communicate effectively. It’s therefore important that you foster a relationship with the other parent to ensure that the judge awards custody that is fair to both parents. The judge wants to ensure that both parents will take their responsibility seriously and one way of ensuring that is done is by communicating effectively. Its therefore important that you work with the best family lawyer and they will advise you on how best to prepare for a custody hearing
- Do you have another formal or informal Custody Arrangement?
It’s important to give information about any other custody arrangement that you may have whether formal or informal. Make sure you have all the details about the custody because the judge may want to know details about it. The judge may inquire about which part of the custody arrangement is not working. The judge will not want to interfere with any previous arrangement and it’s therefore important that you give such details.
The key to winning a custody battle is proper preparation. You need to ensure that you have all the details that you may require for the custody. Make sure that you work closely with the family lawyers and the divorce lawyers to get the best for your children.