How Can a Father Increase His Chances of Receiving Shared Custody?

When couples divorce, and children are involved, the court will determine child custody. Child custody is often a contentious matter, with mothers and fathers often fighting for their rights.

Mothers often get custody because they are seen as the primary parent. While some fathers do stay home with their children while their mothers work, that is still rare in today’s world. More often than not, mothers are the ones who take care of the household and children, even while working. Mothers are more likely than fathers to know all the important details about their children.

Despite all this, men do have an equal chance of getting custody of their children. Courts do not discriminate based on gender. Family courts focus on stability, involvement, and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs. They also consider the child’s best interests, which often means the mother wins out.

But that does not have to be the case. The father can receive shared custody, but he will need to put in some effort. Here are some tips to improve your chances of getting child custody:

Demonstrate Active Involvement

Courts want to see a consistent pattern of hands-on parenting; not just recent efforts made for litigation. Fathers should be involved in daily routines such as preparing meals, helping with homework, attending parent-teacher conferences, scheduling and attending medical and dental appointments, and participating in extracurricular activities. Keeping records, such as calendars, school emails, medical records, and photos, can help show long-term involvement.

Maintain a Stable Environment

Demonstrate stability. Show you have suitable housing, a predictable work schedule, and reliable transportation. Living close to your child’s school, healthcare, and support system also matters.

Cooperating With the Other Parent

Show that you can cooperate with the other parent. Keep communication calm and make joint decisions. Avoid confrontations and inflammatory posts or texts. Be flexible and focus on your child to prove that shared custody will work.

Create a Parenting Plan

A strong parenting plan reflects organization and foresight. It should clearly outline physical custody schedules, holidays and vacations, transportation responsibilities, communication methods, and how decisions regarding education, healthcare, and religion will be made.

Avoid Bad Behavior

Avoid any behavior that could harm your child’s safety or emotional health. Do not abuse substances, start disputes, act erratically, or speak badly about the other parent. Judges also disapprove of parental alienation.

Contact Us Today

Although women have often received primary custody, many men have also successfully obtained custody. By maintaining a strong relationship and staying involved in their child’s daily care, fathers can confidently demonstrate their commitment to the court.

A Tennessee child custody attorney from The Law Office of David L. Scott can give you the advice you need to achieve the best child custody arrangement possible. To schedule a consultation with our office, contact us at (615) 896-7656 or via our online form.