Going through a divorce — no matter what the circumstances — can be stressful. There are so many issues to grapple with as a Wisconsin couple begins the process of ending a marriage. Some of the decisions can cause a lot of angst, but nothing is worse than when a couple can’t agree on child custody or visitation terms. It can be even more difficult when one parent alleges that there has been domestic abuse and substance abuse involved in the home.
A family court judge will always make a decision based on what he or she believes to be in the best interest of a child and would expect the parents to do so as well. The outcome of a dispute regarding child custody can define a parent’s bond with a child. If the parent becomes noncustodial, it can declare when and how that parent can see the child and for how long. For a custodial parent, a custody arrangement will determine how many times the other parent is allotted for visits. In any case, both parents and the child will be affected.
A parent who is alleging that children have been exposed to domestic violence or substance abuse would do well to provide the court with evidence such as police reports or no contact orders along with any witnesses. The parent should also present the court with evidence on how a child has been affected since kids exposed to these negative circumstances could develop:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Aggressive behavior
- An inflated sense of responsibility
- Issues at school
- Difficulty building and maintaining healthy relationships
A parent in this case needs to be prepared to fight for his or her child. Child custody issues may stress out many Wisconsin parents, but those in this position don’t need to go it alone. Seeking legal help from a lawyer experienced in family law issues will ensure guidance at every step in the process.
