Divorce is painful for a family, but child custody can get traumatic. The worst part is that some preconceived notions are likely to weaken your stance as a father. Even as American courts don’t discriminate against dads, your chances of getting full custody of your kids are slim. Things can get even more challenging if the divorce isn’t amicable and you expect a bitter custody battle ahead. But you need not lose heart. Even as moms have an upper hand, you can improve your chances with some good thinking. Here are some tips that can help.

Be honest and realistic

You may want to get full custody of the kids, but an honest and realistic approach is vital to assess your readiness. It is a huge responsibility, and you should be in a position to manage it practically and financially. Consider the challenges of being a single parent and be sure that you can handle them. The court will go the extra mile to ensure your readiness, and it takes confidence to convince them.

Have a future plan

When it comes to convincing the judge about your readiness for child custody, you will need to have a clear and actionable future plan. For example, he will want to know about living arrangements, education, and financial preparedness after taking the kids home. You must have workable solutions in your mind so that you can handle these questions honestly and confidently.

Hire a specialist attorney

The most important aspect of boosting your chances of getting child custody is by hiring a specialist lawyer. It is vital to choose someone who knows the law of the state because they differ. Some states favor mothers as compared to fathers when it comes to child custody. Although Texas law is impartial with the treatment of custody cases, it makes sense to have an expert Dallas child custody lawyer handle the case for you. They can guide you about the things you have to say in court and ensure that you have all the paperwork in place. 

Pay child support

Regularity with child support payments is crucial whether you want full or joint custody. It gives you a solid track record even as you start with the process because it shows a caring and responsible attitude towards the kids. Just looking after the child’s financial needs is not enough. You must also maintain records such as receipts, canceled checks, and other documentation that validate regular payments in court.

Treat your ex respectfully

Surprisingly, your attitude towards your ex-wife can also determine the fate of the child custody case. Shared decisions and joint custody can become a challenge if you are adversarial or rude to each other. Moreover, parental conflict can affect the mental health of the kids, which is the last thing any parent will want to happen. Respect each other and try to resolve things as amicably as possible.

Most importantly, respect the wishes of your children and let them make their decision. The court also favors the opinion of the kids, and you must support them as a dad. Be there for the children whether they live with you or their mom.