There are times when a father can feel concerned about the other parent’s abilities and the habits that she has when it comes to taking care of their child. You may have reason to believe that your child is being neglected or even abused when he or she is at the other parent’s home.

Whether you are a mother or a father, it is very difficult to gain full custody of a child if the other parent is also seeking custody. However, the courts always seek to take the action that is in the best interests of the child. Therefore, if they have a good reason to believe that the child is not safe in the care of the other parent, then your chances of gaining child custody are quite high. The following are some useful tips for impressing the courts when filing for custody as a father.

Focus on the relationship between you and your child

The courts will look for evidence of a strong relationship between you and your child, including your willingness to make an effort when you are away from him or her. This includes regular phone calls and a sense of stability where the child feels that he or she can depend on you.

Show your reliability

A good record of maintaining past visitation schedules as well as keeping up with child support payments will show the courts that you are a reliable father that puts your child before anything else.

Gaining full custody can be a challenge for any parent; however, it is important to know that the courts will take the specifics of your case into account when making a decision, always putting the child’s wellbeing first.

Source: The spruce, “10 Child Custody Tips for Fathers,” accessed Nov. 24, 2017