If you’re a parent filing for divorce in a New York court, it doesn’t mean that you’re abdicating your parental responsibilities. Like most parents, you want what’s best for your kids and are likely concerned as to how to settle your case with the least amount of disruption to your children’s lives as possible. Child custody will no doubt be a primary focus of proceedings.
If your ex does what’s necessary to achieve a fair agreement, everything should be okay. However, if your former spouse disregards the rules or is trying to drive a wedge between you and your kids, things may get messy in court. It’s imperative that you clearly understand your rights and how to protect your children’s best interests.
Child custody issues that would understandably cause you concern
Unless the court has ruled otherwise, you have a right to continue an active relationship with your children after divorce. You may have shared or sole physical or legal custody of your kids. In any case, your ex must adhere to the terms of the court order set by the judge overseeing your case. The following list shows issues that would be cause for concern:
- Your ex consistently shows up late or not at all for custody transfers.
- Your ex has prohibited you from seeing your children even though the court has ruled that you are to be with them at certain times.
- You have reason to believe your ex is trying to poison the minds of your kids against you by telling them lies.
- There is evidence that your ex is placing your kids at risk.
- Your ex has taken your children without permission when it’s your turn to have custody.
These and other issues are topics the court would definitely want to know about regarding your child custody agreement in divorce. Besides becoming a legal problem, such issues can cause severe emotional distress for you and your children, especially if your ex tells your kids that you don’t love them or that you said the divorce was their fault.
You don’t ever have to hesitate to reach out for additional support if a problem arises regarding child custody that you don’t feel equipped to handle on your own. By building a strong support network from the start, you and your children may be better able to cope with the changes divorce has brought to your daily lives.
