Blog

Are You Sabotaging Yourself in Your Child Custody Case?

Posted by Joseph Lento | Oct 04, 2024 | 0 Comments

No one going through a divorce and custody negotiations needs to be told that it's a stressful, sometimes drawn-out process with emotions typically running high on both sides. But it may take some introspection to recognize the ways you yourself may be sabotaging your case.

If you have children and are considering divorce, the LLF Law Firm Family Law Team can help you pursue your case as smoothly as possible, to the benefit of you and your children. We have represented many parents in Pennsylvania parents as they negotiate the best child custody agreement possible, and we will bring that experience to your case. Call the LLF Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or reach out via our online contact form.

Keep Your Goal in Mind as You Negotiate Child Custody

To reduce the likelihood that you undermine your own case as you move through your child custody negotiations, it helps to articulate the result you want to create so you can keep your focus on that rather than be distracted by unhelpful motives such as punishing your ex. For example, “I want to create a healthy, drama-free environment for my children and have an effective co-parenting relationship with my ex.” As any issues arise during the child custody negotiations, ask yourself how you should respond to further this goal.

A Reality to Accept and Advice to Heed

While you may think your ex-spouse is a terrible parent, what you consider being unfit to have custody doesn't matter—it's how the court defines it, i.e., a history of abusing or neglecting of your children or exposing them to inappropriate people such as someone involved in unlawful activities like drug dealing. And courts in Pennsylvania prefer to award shared custody because a child does better if both parents are involved in their life. Failure to understand and accept this has caused many parents to dig in their heels during discussions of child custody and delay resolution.

Some parents sabotage their own position during child custody negotiations by engaging in easily avoidable behavior. Here are a couple of ways to help your case:

  • Comply with requests such as court orders and requests for documents and instructions from a parenting coordinator or court-appointed counselor.
  • Be careful about how you share information about your case. You should be able to talk to a few friends or relatives you know will keep your confidence, but it's better to share as little as possible while the custody case is ongoing. And do not post anything relevant, even indirectly, to your case on social media. In Pennsylvania, social media posts are admissible as evidence in custody cases, and posting about your hatred of your ex or frequent hangovers could harm your case.

The Family Law Team at the LLF Law Firm Can Help You and Your Children Get the Protection You Need Now

As you go through divorce and child custody negotiations, the LLF Law Firm Family Law Team can advise you on strategy and terms, and they will be frank with you if you are hurting your own case. We want you to move through the divorce and child custody process as quickly and efficiently as possible for the least stress on you and your children. The Family Law Team at the LLF Law Firm is ready to handle your case. Contact us today at 888.535.3686 or through our online form to hear how we can help.

About the Author

Joseph Lento

"I pride myself on having heart and driving hard to get results!" Attorney Joseph D. Lento is a veteran of one of the nation's busiest family courts with nearly 20 years' experience passionately helping families. By day, he worked in the trenches of family court, and at night, he studied the law. He helped countless families while working at family court, and he went on to become an attorney, dedicating his law practice to continuing the work he started years earlier. Mr. Lento's experience both behind the scenes and on the front lines allows him to understand a client's family law matter from all angles, and allows him to find and employ the most effective strategies to get favorable outcomes for any client. Joseph D. Lento is licensed in Pennsylvania New Jersey, and New York, and is admitted pro hac vice as needed nationwide. In the courtroom and in life, attorney Joseph D. Lento stands up when the bell rings!

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Comments have been disabled.

Contact a skilled Family Law Team Today!

The LLF Law Firm has unparalleled experience practicing Family Law in Pennsylvania. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you and your family, contact our offices today. Our Family Law Team will go above and beyond the needs for any client and fight for what is fair.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

Menu