Four Things A Mother Should Know About Regaining Custody Of Her Child

If you are a mother who has lost custody of her child, it was likely devastating. There are many reasons that a judge can award custody to another person, but whatever the reason, you should know that there is hope. The court system wants a child and its mother to be together, but the best interest of the child will always come first. The following are a few things that you need to understand as you begin the process of regaining custody

You will need to address the root cause of losing custody

It is usually obvious what caused a judge to rule against you, but whatever it is, you must make a profound change in your life. Perhaps the most common cause is substance abuse. If this is the situation for you, then you will need to seek drug rehabilitation. You will need to demonstrate that you have been drug-free for a substantial amount of time. A child custody attorney can help you with the time frame a court is looking for.

You will need gainful employment

Depending upon your situation, you may already have a job. If this is the case, you need to be diligent in keeping it. If you find yourself without a job, then you need to find one. A steady job is important to demonstrate both responsibility and a means to provide for your child. You won't necessarily need to earn a large income, but you will need to show you can hold down a job.

You will need a safe environment for your child

This is more than just an apartment or a house. You will need to create a safe and secure home. This means a clean home with a place for your child to sleep and play, along with working utilities, and food on the shelves and in the refrigerator.

You will likely win visitation rights first

Long before you can hope to achieve full custody, you will likely have a chance for visitation rights. This is a right that a judge will give you. It is not the first step, but it will be an important one. You may have supervised visitation at first, then greater visitation rights in the future.

Regaining custody of your child takes time. It is a process that consists of several steps of demonstrating to a judge that you are responsible enough to take care of your child. A judge is hesitant to take away a child from its mother without a strong reason. In order to get your kid back, you will need to take important steps to convince a judge that you are ready to be a responsible parent. This will mean having a steady job, as well as a place for your child to live. You will also need to demonstrate that you have an appropriate lifestyle that is compatible with raising a child. 

For more information, contact a local child custody attorney. 

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