Whether you are the primary breadwinner in your family or part of a dual-income household, you are likely concerned that your career might result in diminished time with your children after a divorce or that divorce might negatively impact your career. Many times, parents face challenges in arguing they should be awarded more parenting time with their children. In these situations, the assistance of a skilled family law attorney can help. 

The following reviews some helpful strategies that you can follow in maximizing the amount of time you get to spend with your child.

Place Children First

There are various considerations involved in divorce, but perhaps none as important as a couple’s children. While most parents realize that divorce has the potential to greatly impact the lives of children, the resolution of custody issues is the major factor in this. 

When deciding the type of care that children should receive, you should consider various factors including the amount of time that you have free to provide proper parenting. Despite how strongly you feel about your children, it is a good idea to be honest about the care you can give during this difficult time. 

Avoid Asking for More Time Than Necessary

Sometimes, people overestimate how much they can achieve in the course of one day. You should offer the only amount of time that you will reasonably be able to spend with your children. You do not want to end up jeopardizing either your children or your career by making promises that you can never fulfill.

Follow the Rules

You and your spouse should follow the same rules. Reaching a custody agreement involves a give-and-take process. The standards to which you hold your former spouse should be the same ones that you follow. This way, you can make sure that both of you do what is important as well as avoid the type of care that you agree your child should not receive.

Understand the Court’s Approach

Family law judges no longer have preferences for stay-at-home parents when determining child custody. Instead, courts tend to not punish parents for assuming financial responsibility for themselves and their children. If you can demonstrate the type of care that children should receive, you establish a model that your children should follow. 

Negotiating child custody is one of the most challenging parts of divorce, and it is important to remain objective during this challenging time. Not only does this benefit your children in the long run, but it also helps to establish a precedent for how others should act.

Be Proactive

If you are not able to take care of your children, you should be proactive with your former spouse about reaching agreements involving care. Judges are less likely to be inclined to think that because a parent cannot take care of children at a particular time that this means they are unfit as parents and should not be available to provide care. Instead, it is almost always a better idea to come to an agreement about the type of care that you can provide and the dates on which you will not be able to watch your children.

Speak with an Experienced Family Law Attorney

Navigating the aftermath of a divorce is not easy. If you need help as you face the various challenges that this difficult time can present, it can help greatly to speak with an experienced family law attorney. Contact Vayman & Teitelbaum, P.C. today to schedule a free case evaluation.