3 Mistakes Stay-at-Home Moms Make during Custody Proceedings
Although financial security may not be the deciding factor in child custody cases, it is certainly a primary concern. If you are going through a divorce and you are a stay-at-home mom, it is natural to worry about how your career prospects-or lack thereof-will affect your chances of securing custody.
Fortunately, if your child is still fairly young and you have been the main caregiver since birth, the odds may be in your favor. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 80 percent of custodial parents are mothers.
Michael M. Raheb is a child custody lawyer in Naples who can assess your situation and explain how you can improve your chances of winning custody. Call 866-949-0888 to schedule a free consultation at The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A.
Read on to learn three mistakes that stay-at-home moms should avoid during custody proceedings:
- Staying Unemployed
If you want to show the judge that you are serious about providing for your children after the divorce, you cannot rely on child support alone. One of the biggest mistakes that stay-at-home moms make during custody battles is failing to secure employment.
Even if you do not land a permanent position during the proceedings, applying for various jobs will demonstrate your determination to take care of your children on your own after the divorce. Of course, balancing childcare and work is never an easy task. You might want to consider some careers that allow you to work from home; Freelance Book Editors, for instance, can find work without leaving the house. You can increase your chances of achieving a job by creating a high-quality resume. You can do this by looking at these free templates from Cultivated Culture for example. Having a solid resume will help your case, it’ll show everyone that you are seeking to improve your situation. You’ll need a job to provide for your children, so make sure you’re actively trying to get a job by creating a professional resume. You don’t necessarily need a job to secure income, you could look at other routes such as investing in Easyjet shares for one example. That can be done with minimal time input leaving you free to care for your children whilst also providing for them financially.
- Failing to Appear Professional
Even if you are not a career woman, you can still look like one. As the saying goes, dress for the job you want, not the one you have.
Family court judges ultimately want to place children with the parent who can provide a stable living environment in which they can thrive. Although it is not fair to evaluate a parent based solely on his or her appearance, looking shabby in court will not improve your position.
Wear conservative, professional-looking clothes to every court appearance. This will convey responsibility regardless of your current career status.
- Prioritizing Your Dating Life
Divorce proceedings can take a while, and it is not uncommon for individuals to meet new partners before their case has finalized. If you have met someone, though, you may want to keep the relationship fairly casual until the custody proceedings have ended. Most judges do not look favorably upon parents who introduce new partners to their children during such a major transition, and Forbes reports that in some states, it may even be considered adultery.
If you are a stay-at-home mom and you would like to strengthen your custody case, turn to The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A. Mr. Raheb is a child custody lawyer who will help you avoid costly mistakes during the proceedings.
Call 866-949-0888 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a child custody attorney in Naples. You can learn more about custody proceedings in Florida by visiting USAttorneys.com.