The main priority for many spouses who are entering a divorce is their right to be a part of their child’s life. If you are facing a divorce and worry that your co-parent may try to challenge your parental rights, you must act now. To learn the steps you can take to protect your parental rights, continue reading and contact our experienced Union County child custody attorneys.
How can I protect my parental rights?
- Retain the services of an experienced attorney: It is best to retain the services of a child custody attorney as soon as you become aware of an imminent divorce. Speak with your attorney before the divorce begins to set your goals and to help them understand your situation. Your attorney will know your state’s child custody laws and will work to protect your parental rights if they are being violated.
- Speak with your spouse: One of the first steps you should consider taking is to simply speak with your co-parent so that you can determine how you will parent together once the divorce is final. Discuss with your spouse how things will change once one of you has left the family home. You may attempt to create a temporary arrangement for visitation during this time. This conversation may even lead to a head start on settling the custody issues in your upcoming case.
- Decide on a parenting arrangement: Bringing a parenting plan to the court is a great step to take to protect your parental rights. In your parenting plan, you will specify when and how often you believe each parent should see the kids. You may also want to include details such as how you will communicate with your co-parent when making decisions for the family and details regarding transportation between visits.
- Document all that you do for your child: Document your relationship with your child by collecting mementos such as photos you have together, things you’ve made together, and more. You may also want to document the purchases you’ve made for your child, the caretaking duties you fulfill, and the activities and events you have enrolled them in.
- Document interference with parental rights: It is crucial to document any incidents where you are denied access to your child by your co-parent. This may include documenting emails or text messages that prove your parental rights are being interfered with. If your co-parent has failed to attempt to maintain a relationship with your child, you may also want to collect evidence of this.
Contact our Firm
Ross and Calandrillo, LLC is a full-service divorce, family, and real estate law firm located in Mountainside, New Jersey. For strong legal representation in all of your divorce or family law matters, contact Ross and Calandrillo, LLC to schedule a consultation.
