It doesn’t take much for a custody dispute to quickly become heated. But even when conflict arises, you have to remain focused on your child’s best interests. After all, that’s the legal standard that the court will use to determine what sort of custody and visitation arrangement is appropriate under the circumstances. But, given the broadness of that standard and the evidence at hand, it can be hard to tailor your child custody argument. Where should you start looking for evidence to support your custody case?
Places to look for evidence to build your child custody argument
Pursuant to state law, the best interest determination is all-encompassing. While the law gives specific considerations that must be taken into account, the judge in your case is free to consider any other evidence that it deems relevant to its determination. Therefore, you’ll want to look in the following places for evidence that may support your position:
- Police records and police reports
- Substance use treatment records
- School records
- Medical records
- Mental health records for everyone involved
- Financial records
- Written communications between you and the other parent
- Statements made by witnesses who have observed each parent with the child
- Your own account of your relationship with your child and any issues you’ve observed with the other parent
Although it’s easy to resort to personal attacks in these cases, you should refrain from doing so. Instead, think about how you can raise the same issue but in a way that speaks to its impact on your child. This will be much more powerful in court.
Craft compelling arguments that position your child custody case for success
There are several ways to approach your child custody case. You have to find the one that best positions you to secure the outcome that you want. So, be sure to thoroughly evaluate the evidence and craft the legal arguments that you think best speak to what’s in your child’s best interests.