If things didn't go well with child custody rulings during your divorce, you may be able to take further action. Judges are extremely reluctant to make changes in issues pertaining to minor children unless the health and well-being of the child are at risk. To find out more about appealing a child custody ruling, read on.

It's Possible For Good Parents to Lose Custody

When divorce happens, the parties are advised to make major decisions like child custody between themselves. When parents are unable to do that, it's left up to the judge. Judges know very little about your family but they rely on what they can find out to help them make important rulings about child custody. Some judges order parents to undergo mediation in an attempt to iron out issues like child custody and more. In some cases, a specialist in parenting is called upon to study the parents and the child in an effort to define family dynamics and to advise the judge on who might be best at parenting the child.

Custody Choices Get Made

Most parents end up deciding to share child custody. While this does allow the child to spend half the time with each parent, it can be chaotic and destabilizing for some children. It is when at least one parent wants full physical custody of the child that problems occur. Judges, in many cases, will automatically choose to award custody to a fit parent that demonstrates a willingness to share with the other parent using visitation. However, some parents are dead-set against their child spending any time at all with the other parent. That, unfortunately, is when they sometimes end up losing custody of their child altogether when both parents appear to be equally fit to raise the child.

Alterations to Child Custody Rulings

Any issue pertaining to a minor child is never completely closed. Children and parental circumstances can change over time and what might have been a good decision initially may now be less than ideal for the child. If you want to make a change, though, you have to have solid reasons that directly affect the well-being of the child. Just wanting custody is not enough – be ready with not just allegations but proof of those allegations before you take action. For example, have video, recordings, or eye-witnesses that can corroborate your accusations of drug use with your ex, and then speak to a family lawyer who can assist you in contesting the child custody arrangements.

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