When parents part ways, it is often necessary to designate a schedule that details parenting time. In many cases, Texas parents will have shared child custody. While this is common following a divorce in states across the nation, it is not always the end result. Previously, the most common situation was for the mother to get full custody while the father had access to the child through visitation rights. Today, it is possible for the exact opposite to result. While it is less common, fathers could take steps to obtain full custody of their child.
Reasons to fight for full custody
There are many reasons why a parent may want to fight for full custody; however, courts often do not see a father petitioning for sole physical custody of a child during a divorce. While it is more often seen that the mother may seek this, either parent can and still do petition for full custody. There are three main reasons a parent may seek full custody. This includes when safety is an issue, one parent is significantly more involved in the child’s life or it is in the best interest of the child.
Route to seek full custody
While there is no single way to seek full custody, for a father seeking to do this, it is important to consider taking the following steps. To begin, it is imperative that a parent seeking full custody understands what it entails. Having a child or children full time is a major task, and a parent should be seeking this for the right reason. Next, understand that having money will not make full custody easy. Being the breadwinner out of the parents does not mean that parent is better equipped at parenting the child by him or herself.
Third, it is important to understand the legal process, obtaining legal guidance and representation when and where it is deemed necessary. Next, the parent seeking full custody should up their parenting game, making changes where necessary and even taking parenting classes or changing the way they live their life, such as giving up drinking.
Other steps a father could take when seeking full custody includes encouraging a relationship between the child and other parent, become an instrumental part of the child’s daily life, document parenting, choose credible witnesses and prepare for a long legal battle.
Make informed decisions and choices
Child custody matters can get emotional and complex. Oftentimes, parents struggle with reaching a final agreement, as they have different needs and wishes when it comes to their child’s upbringing and meeting their best interests. Therefore, it is imperative that divorcing or divorced parents fully explore their rights and options when it comes to reaching a child custody agreement that focuses on the needs and best interests of the child.