Contentious Custody Cases: Tips for Parents

Contentious custody cases happen despite one or both parties’ best efforts to keep things as low conflict as possible.

So, what should you do if you find yourself in the midst of a contentious custody case? Robinson & Henry family law attorneys provide some sage advice in this article.

Help for Contentious Custody Cases

Family law cases involving children can become high conflict. Our Family Law Team helps parents involved in contentious custody cases. We’ll be your strongest advocate as you work toward a resolution that is best for your children. Call 303-688-0944 to begin a case assessment.

Tips for Parents in Contentious Custody Cases

Keep a Written Record

Yes, even parents who said they’d keep things civil for the kids’ sake can find themselves wrapped up in a nasty divorce or custody dispute.

In these kinds of cases, our attorneys recommend you put all communication about the children and parenting time in writing.

• text messages
• emails
• texting apps

Even if your circumstances with your ex haven’t completely soured, it’s a good idea to maintain a digital record – just in case.

In the event your case ends up in court, you and your attorney will be able to point to the written evidence and avoid the “he said, she said” problem that crops up a lot in contentious custody cases.

When you have a written account of what has actually happened in your case, you’ll be able to, for instance:

• prove you made parenting time requests
• disprove allegations from the other party

Tips for Communicating with Your Ex

Keep Your Tone Neutral

No one says you have to exchange pleasantries with your ex. Just be civil. Simply take a neutral tone when you’re communicating with your ex, which involves being clear about why you’re reaching out.

Focus on the Kids

Don’t dredge up the past. Doing so will likely lead to conflict. When you’re texting your ex about the children, stay on-topic.

Take the High Road

As difficult as it may be, resist reacting to hostile communication from your ex. Don’t take the bait.

Let’s take a look at an example:

In this example, one parent has exercised concise, civil, on-topic communication despite the other parent’s inability to do so.

Family Law Attorneys for Parents with Contentious Custody Cases

If you feel like your case is getting to a point where it potentially could be really contested, it’s really helpful to have an attorney on your side. Call 303-688-0944 to begin your case assessment.