Preparing For a Child Custody Hearing—What Documents Should You Gather?

If you’re in the middle of a child custody dispute, an attorney’s the best person to help you prepare for the hearing. Out of all the other disputes like property division, financial division, and spousal support, child custody is the most important.

Stepping foot in a courtroom can be confusing, stressful, and frightening, especially since many parents are unfamiliar with the child custody process. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what you can expect from a child custody hearing, the paperwork involved, and the best way to conduct yourself.

A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM)

You’ll need to attend a MIAM before applying for a court order which will assess if you can come to an agreement out of court. Parents can either attend the same MIAM or have separate meetings with the mediator.

During the sessions, the mediator makes sure that both parents discuss what their options are and that the decisions made are in the children’s best interest.

Applying for a court order

After you or your lawyer have applied for a court order, an advisor from the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) is appointed to gather information from the parents before the first hearing.

This includes:

• A criminal record and social services check on both the parents
• Any concerns that any parent may have about the welfare and safety of the children

Bring proper documentation

While having professional legal representation can be of immense help, it’s crucial that you research and familiarize yourself with the state laws.

You and your lawyer should have all the required documentation in order before the custody hearing. This includes financial documents, bank statements, your child’s medical records, a decided-upon parenting schedule, and proof of child support payments.

Another thing that you can take to court is your visitation schedule—a log that keeps track of when the visits occur, how long they last, where they occur, and how often. The non-custodial parent who’s trying to get custody can use this information in court to prove their meaningful and continuous relationship with the child.

You can even consider getting written statements from the child’s coaches, teachers and even neighbours who have witnessed your relationship with the child.

It’s important to mention here that the court will always consider what’s in the best interest of the child based on their physical, emotional and educational needs, taking into account their background or any injuries that they may have suffered.

Reach Out To A Solicitor Today!

If you aren’t sure about children’s law post-divorce, our children law solicitors in Wembley can assist you in making a strong case in court. We can help secure your child’s rights in terms of schooling and education, providing reasoned arguments in court and ensuring your expectations are met.

From expert divorce solicitors to family law solicitors, our law firm provides a wide range of legal assistance. Get in touch with us for more details.