how to win a custody battle in sc without an attorney

by Anais Stroman 8 min read

Trying to win a custody battle without any legal advice is going to be an uphill battle. Ask your divorce lawyer how good the chances are of you winning the custody battle. Make sure that you actually listen to their advice and that you are clear on everything before the battle begins.

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How can I win a child custody battle?

Jul 03, 2021 · What To Do to Win Your Child Custody Battle Here are some tips on winning your child custody battle. Tip #1: Show a willingness to work together with your EX. Remember that you’re going to be on this team with your child’s other parent and the court system wants you to work together and not apart. Tip #2: Don’t shrug off or be late to visitation

How does the court decide custody of a child in SC?

Sep 18, 2019 · Trying to “economize” by being your own lawyer risks the loss of your child. Let our experienced lawyers fight for and help you win the most important legal battle you’ll face. For more information on how we can work on your behalf, call (402) 415-2525 or book an appointment online. Top.

How can a father win joint physical custody?

Don’t send your spouse angry texts when things get heated during the custody battle. Make sure you are controlling yourself, otherwise you could be putting yourself at risk of losing the battle. 3. Try to Settle Outside of Court. Settling a custody battle …

How not to behave during a child custody battle?

Child Custody. Laws regarding child custody can be found in Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code. The information below will direct you to sections within the Code for more information. Custody actions can be filed independently or as part of a divorce action in South Carolina. The standard applied in all custody actions is "the best ...

What is considered an unfit parent in SC?

The legal definition of an unfit parent is when the parent through their conduct fails to provide proper guidance, care, or support. Also, if there is abuse, neglect, or substance abuse issues, that parent will be deemed unfit.Jan 1, 2022

How do I get full custody of my child in SC?

In South Carolina, a step-parent can get full custody of a child if they had legally adopted the child. Step-parent adoption, however, requires consent from one of the biological parents, if the other parent had relinquished their parental responsibilities, is dead or has been deemed unfit by the court.Jun 13, 2019

How can a mother lose custody of her child in SC?

Top 4 Reasons That Could Cause a Mother to Lose Child CustodyPhysical abuse of the child. If this type of abuse is reported to law enforcement or child protective services who then act, custody could be revoked. ... Physical abuse of the partner. ... Neglect. ... Violation of a court order.Apr 13, 2021

What makes a mother unfit in South Carolina?

Whether the parent is fit, “able to properly care for the child and provide a good home,” The amount of contact the parent had with the child while the child was in the non-parent's custody, including visits and financial support, The circumstances of the parent's relinquishment of custody to the non-parent, and.Aug 6, 2021

What kind of rights does a father have in South Carolina?

50% of children born in South Carolina are born to unmarried parents. When a child is born out-of-wedlock in South Carolina, the biological father has no legal rights or connection to the child until he establishes legal paternity.

Is South Carolina a mom State?

In marriage, parents in South Carolina have equal power, rights, and duties regarding their children. However, under South Carolina child custody law, divorce can drastically change that. In addition, if the parents were never married, then custody is solely with the mother unless the father goes to court.

Can a mother move a child away from the father in South Carolina?

Custodial parents are free to relocate within the state of South Carolina with their minor children. The court understands that in relocation cases, the needs of both parents are rarely both satisfied, but it will not interfere with an in-state move unless it determines that there is a compelling reason to intervene.

What is malicious mother syndrome?

"Malicious parent syndrome" is when one parent seeks to punish the other parent by talking poorly about them and/or doing things to place the parent in a bad light, particularly in the eyes of their children.Aug 17, 2020

How do you win a custody battle against a narcissist?

Key Takeaway About Beating a Narcissist in Family CourtDocument everything with facts, dates, and copies of any communications.If other people witnessed your spouse's behavior, tell your lawyer immediately.Remain calm during each court appearance or meeting involving your spouse.More items...•Mar 16, 2021

What is an unstable parent?

In California, an unfit parent is a parent who, through their conduct, fails to provide proper guidance, care, or support to their children. This can include not only a parent's actions but also a home environment where abuse, neglect, or substance abuse is present.May 31, 2021

How long does a father have to be absent to lose his rights in South Carolina?

six monthsAbandonment Defined If one parent abandons the child and does not visit the child or contribute financially to the child's upbringing for a period of at least six months, you may have grounds to seek a termination of parental rights.

At what age can a child choose which parent to live with in SC?

Generally speaking, if the child is younger than 12 years old, the court will likely not heavily weigh the child's preference. When a child is between 12 and 14 years of age, a court will weigh the preference more heavily, but the court will not necessarily make a decision based on that preference.Mar 31, 2020

What is the advantage of having a lawyer handle custody cases?

The biggest advantage of having a lawyer handle your custody case is they’re trained in all the appropriate laws.

What is the goal of a child custody case?

Your goal is anything that helps you build a winning child custody case. Another point to consider is how you respond to pressure. The court requires all who appear to remain calm and behave reasonably. Custody battles are very emotional. If you lose your temper quickly or overreact, you shouldn’t represent yourself.

Why is a thorough investigation necessary?

If you’ve seen any legal proceeding, you know a thorough investigation is vital to uncover the relevant facts. An investigation takes time, and there are many things to consider in a child custody case. Every lead should be developed before you go to court. Most of us aren’t trained detectives.

What is a familiar process?

Familiar Process. Your lawyer will be familiar with the other parties involved. They may be aware of recent rulings or decisions by the assigned judge and use that to formulate the best strategy. They may have faced the opposing attorney and know what tactics to expect.

What is the court system?

Court System. The court system is a complicated maze of documents, hearings, judges and other details you must handle with precision and timeliness. Paperwork must be completed correctly and filed on time and to the right place. Hearings are scheduled and mandatory. They’re difficult to reschedule.

Is divorce expensive?

Divorce and splitting up a home can be very expensive. When you add the cost of a child custody battle, you look for somewhere, often anywhere, to cut your expenses. And since no one knows your child better than you do, you should represent yourself in court. Right?

Can emotional commitment cause you to lose focus?

But your emotional commitment could cause you to lose focus if you represent yourself. Even if you choose an uncontested divorce, your children and their custody bring up a completely different depth of feeling. The other side could use your emotionalism to rattle and confuse you.

How to win custody battle?

When trying to figure out how to win a custody battle you might think going in “guns blazing” is the best way to get your preferred agreement in place. This simply is not the case. When you and your former partner sit down to come up with an agreement, be willing to compromise. The process doesn't have to be long and lengthy, in fact, if you can both compromise, you can quickly hash out the agreement and put it into action. The quicker you can sort out the issue, the quicker everyone can settle into a new normal, including your children, your former partner, and yourself.

What is the importance of a visitation schedule?

Not only is this best for the child, but it establishes a routine for both you and your former partner. Stability is important during this time, so trying to change the schedule or denying access to the child can create a lot of animosity which can lead to a messy custody battle.

Why is being flexible important?

Being flexible is important in parenting, even if you and your former partner are no longer together. As children grow up, their needs and activities will change. Remaining flexible with the custody agreement is important for everyone's well-being, especially the child's.

Do you need a mediator for custody?

Not all custody agreements need to get messy and complicated. Many parents can work out a custody agreement without a court actually being involved. If you and your former partner can discuss things calmly, you may not even need a mediator. Simply come up with a custody plan and submit it to the court. Most courts will accept agreements that have been reached by parents. A court-appointed mediator can be helpful to those who are having a difficult time coming to an agreement.

How to win custody battle without legal advice?

Trying to win a custody battle without any legal advice is going to be an uphill battle. Ask your divorce lawyer how good the chances are of you winning the custody battle. Make sure that you actually listen to their advice and that you are clear on everything before the battle begins. A custody battle is an intense time in your life, so the more help you have, the better the chances are of you winning. If you are seeking a great divorce lawyer, reach out to The Johnson Law Firm and Associates today.

How to win custody battle?

If you want to give yourself the best chance at winning a custody battle, you need to keep your emotions in check. Try to avoid using social media as a means of sharing your thoughts about the process. Don’t send your spouse angry texts when things get heated during the custody battle. Make sure you are controlling yourself, otherwise you could be putting yourself at risk of losing the battle.

Should I settle a custody battle outside of court?

Settling a custody battle in court is both time-consuming and expensive. When it gets to that point, you really don’t know which way the judge is going to go. That’s why if you want to have the best shot at winning the custody battle, you should try to settle outside of court. That way, you will be able to control the outcome instead of leaving things up to the judge.

What is the child custody code in South Carolina?

Laws regarding child custody can be found in Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code. The information below will direct you to sections within the Code for more information. Custody actions can be filed independently or as part of a divorce action in South Carolina.

What are the major decisions parents make in custody?

Parents must submit parenting plans to the court in custody proceedings reflecting the parental preferences as to how much time the child will spend with each parent and which parent will make major decisions for the child, including the child's education, medical and dental care, extracurricular activities, and religious training.

What is joint custody?

Joint custody means both parents have equal rights and responsibilities for major decisions concerning the child. Sole custody means one parent has the right and responsibilities for major decisions concerning the child. Parenting Plans (S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-220)

What is the standard for custody?

The standard applied in all custody actions is "the best interests of the child.". The courts consider many factors in determining the best interests of a child including the physical, psychological, spiritual, educational, familial, emotional, and recreational aspects of the child's life.

What is the phone number for a lawyer in South Carolina?

and 5 p.m. The number is 799-7100 in Richland or Lexington Counties, and 1-800-868-2284 from other parts of the state.

Who is responsible for child support?

The primary caretaker is responsible for the child most days of the year, with the other parent having visitation every other weekend, on some holidays, and during some summer weeks. The parent having visitation almost always is required to pay child support to the parent who is serving as the primary caretaker.

Who is the guardian ad litem?

Guardians ad litem are independent people who interview parents, children, family members, friends, school personnel, and other people involved in the family's life, as well as collect evidence regarding the children, to make a recommendation to the court as to ...

How to file for custody without a lawyer?

You may face some setbacks along the way. Contact your local legal aid organization for support and referrals to resources. Be open to reassessing your decision to work without a lawyer.

How to file for child custody pro se?

Filing for child custody pro se requires research and planning. Parents who head into court solo should be prepared to pay close attention to detail, maintain meticulous paperwork, and understand the laws related to their case. Consider your bandwidth as you evaluate whether going through this process without the assistance of a lawyer is right for you.

What does "pro se" mean in legal terms?

Pro se is Latin for "on one's own behalf.". In legal terms, filing for child custody "pro se" means filing on behalf of yourself without the help of a lawyer. 1 Between 2000 and 2019, 25% of civil cases in the U.S. were filed pro se. 2. There are benefits and downsides to filing pro se. For parents who want to file for child custody ...

How to file pro se in a child's court?

Begin by contacting the family court clerk to obtain the proper paperwork. Typically, the court with which you must file will be located in the county where your child has lived for the past six months. 6 Be sure to inform the clerk that you are filing pro se so that you access the correct forms.

What are the things that influence a child custody decision?

Some things that could influence a child custody decision include: Evidence of domestic violence, abuse, or neglect.

What is the relationship between a child and a parent?

The living accommodations a parent is able to provide. The relationship between a child and a parent. This is tedious, time-consuming work, but understanding the child custody laws in your state will have a huge impact on your ability to represent yourself well.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid organizations offer free legal advice and representation to low-income individuals. 3 They can be a great resource and may be able to give you further direction before going to court. If you decide to go ahead with representing yourself, give careful thought to all of your child custody options.

How to win joint custody?

Winning joint physical custody for fathers requires courage and a child focused strategy. For a father to win joint physical custody and equal parenting time requires the father to show the court such a schedule is in the child's best interest. Fathers mistakenly believe they have a higher burden than the mother does.

What does it mean when a father wins custody?

We know what fathers mean when they talk about "winning" child custody. When a father thinks about "winning" a child custody case, he already makes a mistake of how he looks at child custody in California. Good fathers mean getting a child custody order they believe to be in the child's best interest. Poorly intentioned fathers mean using the child ...

How do fathers get equal parenting time?

The four ways fathers can win joint physical custody and equal parenting time. Here are some facts a father can show to help him obtain equal parenting time. The father has the same or similar amount of time to care for the child, The father has the same or similar parenting skills as the mother, The father is able to dedicate ...

What is significant change of circumstances?

What does significant change of circumstances mean? 1 Something significant that occurred after the last court order, 2 That significant event justifies coming to court and telling the court the situation today is very different from the situation that existed when the last court order went into effect, and 3 The court should modify custody or parenting time as a result.

Why do I use the word "primary" instead of "sole"?

I use the word "primary" instead of "sole" custody because parents sometimes think sole custody means 100% parenting time to one parent and therefore 0% parenting time to the other parent. That is not what sole physical custody means in family law.

What does it mean to be a good father?

Good fathers mean getting a child custody order they believe to be in the child's best interest. Poorly intentioned fathers mean using the child as leverage for child support or getting some foolish revenge against the mother. That is exactly why the word "winning" is incorrect. A victory in a child custody case can mean completely different things ...

What is physical custody?

Child custody includes legal custody and physical custody. Physical custody is the label attached to the amount of parenting time. The amount of parenting time is what matters, not the label.

How to determine how not to behave during custody battle?

To determine how not to behave during your custody battle, it is helpful to review the criteria used by the judge (“court”) to determine appropriate placement of the children. The court is charged with the responsibility of evaluating the situation to determine what placement and parenting time is in the child’s best interest.

What to expect from your mother during custody battle?

In particular, expect your children’s mother to point out all negative behavior during your custody battle. If you behave as though the judge were standing next to you each time you interact with the children or their mother, you will certainly avoid the pitfalls that will reduce your custody chances.

What are the two forms of alienation of affection that get dads into trouble?

The two most common forms of alienation of affection that get dads into trouble are: criticizing mom around the kids and keeping the children from mom in any way.

What happens if you ignore an order of support?

If the court enters an order of support and you choose to ignore it, that is considered contempt of court. If the judge makes a finding that you are in contempt, you may be fined or even jailed for such behavior.

What does it mean when you yell at your wife?

When you yell at your wife or your children it often gives the appearance that you are being abusive or bullying them.

What happens when a mother keeps her child from her father?

On the other hand, when the mother keeps the child from the father, parental alienation can occur, and that has serious ramifications. 2. Yell at wife and/or children.

What happens during difficult times?

These difficult times often cause a person to act or react irrationally and in ways that detrimentally affect his or her case. You should be aware prior to court proceedings that the court will evaluate your behavior in its entirety throughout the proceedings and always behave accordingly.

What to avoid during custody battle?

9 Things to Avoid During Your Custody Battle. If you’re going through a divorce and have young children, the courts will decide both legal custody and physical placement. People often refer to both by the term “custody,” but there are actually two different legal decisions here. Legal custody determines who makes major decisions for children, ...

What to do if you can't resolve custody?

If parties cannot resolve custody and placement, it’s likely the court will have someone interview your children , and what they say about you and your ex will influence the judge’s decision. 2. AVOID PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION WITH EX-SPOUSE AND/OR CHILDREN. If verbal fights are bad, imagine what the judge is going to think about getting ...

What does the judge look for in a divorce?

When it comes to determining both physical placement and legal custody, the judge in your divorce case will look at a wide variety of things. The judge will always rule based on what he or she believes is in the best interest of your children. Here are nine different things you want to avoid to show the judge that you deserve custody ...

What is the difference between legal custody and physical placement?

Legal custody determines who makes major decisions for children, while physical placement determines how parents share time with their children. It’s possible the children will spend 50 percent of their time with you, but for your ex to have authority to make major decisions for them. When it comes to determining both physical placement ...

How to deal with an ex-wife?

1. AVOID VERBAL ALTERCATIONS WITH EX-SPOUSE AND/OR CHILDREN. While you may feel tempted to get into a verbal sparring match with your ex or even yell at him or her, do your best to keep your temper under control – especially in the presence of your children.

How to keep kids from getting divorced?

Do your best to keep their routine as normal as possible. Do your best to keep them in all of their school activities, extra-curricular sports, and anything else they enjoy. It may not always be possible, of course, but it’s important to do the best you can. Similarly, it’s important not to schedule things during time your children are with the other parent without his or her knowledge and consent. While keeping things as close to normal is important during a divorce, it’s also important that issues aren’t created, unnecessarily, by creating conflict and doing things that might upset your ability to effectively co-parent.

What to do when you talk to your attorney?

When talking to your attorney, your spouse’s attorney, your family, or even your friends, remember that anything you say can get back to the court. Even if the other person didn’t intentionally mean to repeat what you said, something might slip out.