In most cases, California law calls for couples to share physical custody of their children after a divorce. However, this assumes that it would be in the child’s best interest. If there is reason to doubt that this is true in your case, you may spend several months or years proving that you’re a capable caregiver.
Staying strong during a custody battle
A child custody battle can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. However, there are steps that you can take to keep yourself going when things get tough. For instance, you can call or text a friend in an effort to process your emotions. You can also engage in self-care such as going to a spa or taking a hot bath.
Focus on what you can control
It can be tempting to build yourself up by tearing your former spouse down in court. It may also be tempting to let yourself be consumed by thoughts of revenge or resentment toward your child’s other parent. However, it’s often much healthier to focus on what you can do for your kids and what you can do to convince a judge that you’re a capable caregiver. Ultimately, this is what is likely going to help you obtain a favorable ruling in your case.
The case will end eventually
It can be demoralizing to spend hours each day in court or taking other actions to defend yourself against a toxic ex. However, it’s important to remember that the battle will end at some point. This may be because your former spouse meets someone new or doesn’t think that you have any money or anything else worth pursuing. At that point, you’ll likely be free to worry only about yourself and your children.
Custody decisions are made based on factors such as the relationship between the parent and child and the parent’s physical and mental state. Ultimately, your job is to show that you can provide a safe and stable home life now and in the future.