Child Custody: What Fathers Need to Know
With the divorce rate hovering around 50 percent it is inevitable that there are going to be children involved when the marriage union dissolves. Unfortunately there are times where the children are used to hurt the other parent; fathers don't understand their rights and mistakes are made when it comes to child custody.
Many fathers simply accept they will have visitation every other weekend, rotating holidays and a few weeks during the summer. A schedule such as this can make a person bitter and feel like they are missing out on their children's lives. Fathers work hard to pay child support in order to take care of their children yet they don't get to reap the benefits of being an active role model and raising them.
Tradition used to dictate that the mother would get primary custody but times are changing and the court system is starting to change the way they view what is best for the children. The goal with every and any child custody situation should be with the child's best interest in mind.
When deciding on how to determine custody of a child after divorce it is important to come up with a parenting plan that suits the child's needs as well as the parents. If this can be done outside of court or through mediation all the better.
Younger children should have frequent contact with each parent while older children can go longer periods of time between visits. Custody arrangements should be made with the understanding that they will change as the children grow and their needs change. Studies have shown that joint custody arrangements benefit the children more when compared to sole custody arrangements.
Whether you are going to court or not over custody of your children you need to create a safe, nurturing home environment, be actively involved in your children's lives and work together with the other parent in order to do what is best for them. If you do end up in court, letting a judge decide custody, showing that you have been actively involved in your children's lives will benefit your case greatly.
Sometimes tradition is over-rated and fathers don't need to give up their rights to their children after divorce. Being part of your children's lives is critical to their success and they need good role models to help raise them and teach them the wisdom fathers have to offer.
Many fathers simply accept they will have visitation every other weekend, rotating holidays and a few weeks during the summer. A schedule such as this can make a person bitter and feel like they are missing out on their children's lives. Fathers work hard to pay child support in order to take care of their children yet they don't get to reap the benefits of being an active role model and raising them.
Tradition used to dictate that the mother would get primary custody but times are changing and the court system is starting to change the way they view what is best for the children. The goal with every and any child custody situation should be with the child's best interest in mind.
When deciding on how to determine custody of a child after divorce it is important to come up with a parenting plan that suits the child's needs as well as the parents. If this can be done outside of court or through mediation all the better.
Younger children should have frequent contact with each parent while older children can go longer periods of time between visits. Custody arrangements should be made with the understanding that they will change as the children grow and their needs change. Studies have shown that joint custody arrangements benefit the children more when compared to sole custody arrangements.
Whether you are going to court or not over custody of your children you need to create a safe, nurturing home environment, be actively involved in your children's lives and work together with the other parent in order to do what is best for them. If you do end up in court, letting a judge decide custody, showing that you have been actively involved in your children's lives will benefit your case greatly.
Sometimes tradition is over-rated and fathers don't need to give up their rights to their children after divorce. Being part of your children's lives is critical to their success and they need good role models to help raise them and teach them the wisdom fathers have to offer.