Given the best interest of the child standard that’s applicable in a child custody case, you may find yourself on the receiving end of personal attacks in your divorce or family law matter. While some of these allegations may try to hit your character, others will address specific prior bad acts that the other parent feels are relevant to your ability to safely parent your kid. If you’ve been struggling with an addiction, then, you need to be prepared for the other parent to bring it up and have a plan to counter their arguments.
How can you address your addiction in a child custody dispute?
You might feel like you’re in a losing position in a child custody dispute if you’ve struggled with an addiction. But there may be several ways to mitigate the impact of the other parent’s argument. These include:
- Demonstrating the steps you’ve taken to get a handle on your addiction, such as by presenting evidence that you’re in treatment or have already completed a program.
- Presenting the court with drug or alcohol screen results to show that you’ve been clean for a significant period of time.
- Highlighting how your previous struggles have been separated from your child and therefore have never and won’t ever pose a risk to your child’s well-being.
- Showing that you’re participating in an aftercare program that assists with maintaining sobriety.
- Securing testimony from credible witnesses who can speak to your character, your bond with your child and your parenting abilities.
Don’t let your history derail your child custody case
There are multiple arguments that can come into play in a child custody case. You have to be prepared to address all of them. So, as you develop your legal strategy, be sure to take a holistic approach so that you can develop the comprehensive arguments needed to not only protect your position, but also to advance your child’s best interests.