Child custody is often a difficult topic; it’s filled with many myths, one of which is that mothers are always automatically given custody of their children in the event of a divorce. This is not always the case – fathers can and do get full custody of their children, but it takes some planning and effort.
Showing that his relationship with the child is strong and stable
One of the main things a father will need to do in order to get full child custody of his child is to show that he has a strong and stable relationship with the child. This is possible to do through testimony from friends and family as well as pictures and other forms of documentation. Fathers who are able to provide a loving and supportive home for their children are more likely to be granted custody.
Establishing paternity
In order to establish paternity, the father will need to provide documentation, such as a birth certificate or DNA test proving that he is in fact the child’s biological father. If the child was born out of wedlock, this may be more difficult to do; however, it is still possible with enough evidence.
Demonstrating that the mother is not fit to care for the child
If the mother is deemed unfit to care for the child, this can work in the father’s favor when seeking full custody. This could be due to issues such as drug abuse, alcoholism or mental illness.
There are many other things a father can do in order to increase his chances of getting full custody of his child, but these are the main ones. Ultimately, the courts determine what’s in the child’s best interests, so it’s important to have a solid case.