Many parents wage a hard-fought war over child custody, and this conflict has many opportunities to continue well after a court hands down a custody order. Even if you obtain full or partial custody of your child after a divorce or separation from the child’s other parent, there are still many things that threaten that custody. Be sure that you understand some of the behavior that may cause you to lose custody of the child you love.
While it may seem obvious, it bears repeating that courts do not generally prefer to leave a child in the custody of a parent who abuses or neglects that child. Many professions, such as medical care providers, are mandatory reporters, which means that they must report to authorities if they suspect a child is suffering from abuse or neglect. In these instances, you may not even see the revocation of your custody coming.
Similarly, if you face charges of domestic violence against a partner or drug charges, the court may choose to revoke your custody. In fact, even nonviolent criminal charges can affect your custody, depending on the circumstances.
Likewise, if you have a court order that outlines how you are to uphold your responsibilities as a parent and you violate that order, the court may see this as grounds to revoke your custody privileges.
If you face the prospect of losing custody of your child, do not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney. You may have more options than you realize to retain your custody privileges, but you must take action immediately.
Source: Findlaw, “Common Reasons to Lose Child Custody,” accessed Aug. 25, 2017