| A lot of marriages in the United States end in | | | | of being granted the custody of your child. |
| divorce. This can be a very painful and harrowing | | | | A number of parents opt to have a lawyer to |
| experience for both spouses, and it is worse if | | | | represent them during the court hearing. On the |
| children are involved. Have you gotten a divorce? | | | | other hand, others opt to represent themselves. |
| If you want your child to stay with you after you | | | | If you are well-versed about the laws in your |
| have separated from your partner, you should | | | | state involving custody of a child, then you may |
| know the steps and requirements of filing for child | | | | choose not to hire a lawyer. On the contrary, you |
| custody. | | | | need a lawyer if you are not familiar with the |
| Filing the documents for the custody of your child | | | | state laws governing your case. |
| is only the first step in the process, and this alone | | | | In the hearings, the judge will hear the arguments |
| can drain you of energy. You will need to fill out | | | | from both parties. If the decision is not in your |
| some forms from the courthouse. The forms can | | | | favor, you can always make an appeal. If the |
| also be downloaded from the website of the city | | | | higher court upholds the decision, accept it and be |
| or county where you live. On the custody form, | | | | contented with the visitation rights granted to |
| you will have to write your name and the name | | | | you. |
| of the other parent, the location of your child | | | | To sum it up, here are the basic steps you have |
| since birth, and other important details. You have | | | | to follow when filing for custody of your child: |
| to pay close attention to the part of the form | | | | • Choose the type of custody you will file for |
| that asks you whether you are seeking sole or | | | | (e.g. sole custody, legal custody, physical custody, |
| temporary custody of your child. You have to | | | | etc.) and be prepared to explain your choice. |
| submit the forms personally at the family court | | | | • Come up with a plan for custody and |
| and send them through mail or fax. There are | | | | visitation, and try to settle this with your |
| certain fees charged for filing for custody, so be | | | | ex-partner. |
| prepared to pay a certain amount. | | | | • File the required documents or hire a lawyer |
| After you have filed the necessary documents, | | | | to do it for you. |
| your case will be decided by the family court. And | | | | • Be present at the court hearings. |
| when the forms have been received by the | | | | • Follow the custody order made by the court |
| family court, you have to make sure you attend | | | | for arrangements and custody schedules. |
| the scheduled hearing. | | | | The process of getting child custody can be a |
| You will have to wait weeks or even months | | | | nerve-wracking experience. But remember, you |
| before you appear in court. So while you are | | | | are doing it for the sake of your child. |
| waiting, plan your strategy to boost your chances | | | | |