1. Five Dumb Mistakes NOT to Make in a Child Custody or  Visitation Rights Case      In the absence of a mutually agreeable parenting plan after a relationship breakdown and  parental separation a ​family lawyer​ is often required to establish a child custody order.  When this situation occurs, the decision regarding the children’s future is placed in the  hands of a family law judge who will make the future custody plan and visitation rights  order with ​children’s best interests​ at heart.     Child custody and ​visiting permissions​ cases are never easy or straightforward, there will be  many factors for the judge to consider before making any decision. Both parents may ‘sling  mud’ and make accusations regarding the others character. The judge must consider all  evidence carefully and base an important decision solely on this evidence. This process  may be helped by child custody evaluators (appointed by the family law court) who assess  each party’s claims and produce a recommended custodial plan.     All too often, good parents are ​classified as unfit or neglectfu​l (in part or full) on the basis  of these five easily avoidable slip ups.   

2. Five Dumb Mistakes NOT to Make in a Child Custody or  Visitation Rights Case  Dumb Mistake # 1:     Get Arrested    One of the most obvious and ​STUPID​ ways in which a custody litigant can ruin their  Custody / Visitation prospects, is to get themselves arrested before the court date. If a  parent is arrested for any crime, not matter how trivial, even if they are not convicted or  charged, they provide the other parent with potential ammunition that could negatively  impact upon a judge’s opinion. ​THINK BEFORE YOU ACT​, your children’s future is at stake.  It’s time to act like an adult.  Dumb Mistake # 2:     Break Temporary Custody Order Conditions  Often times a Court will issue temporary interim custody orders at the beginning of divorce  or paternity actions. These terms and conditions will be legally binding until conclusion of  the trial. These orders will control all custodial matters, such as the physical timeshare of  children between parents, the decision-making authority of each parent etc. Breaking any of  the terms of this temporary order can have very serious repercussions and seriously affect  the outcome of any child custody dispute in California. Be responsible, make sacrifices,  OBEY THE CUSTODY ORDER​.     Dumb Mistake # 3:     Bad Social Media Judgement     In times of stress we are all tempted to vent on social media, one simple piece of advice,  DON’T​! You are inevitably setting yourself up for a fall. Likewise if you are enjoying a new  lease of energy in your private life, keep it that way, ​PRIVATE​! One way or another, the  information and images posted on social media are ​NOT PRIVAT​E and can be accessed in  one way or another by the entire general public (which includes your ex and his or her  attorney).     The evidence for substance abuse or alcohol problems has often times been provided  through a “selfie” obligingly posted on social media by the parent about to come out the 

3. Five Dumb Mistakes NOT to Make in a Child Custody or  Visitation Rights Case  wrong end of a child visitation dispute. Never post anything on social media that you would  not be prepared to be made public and used as evidence in a California family court  hearing.    Dumb Mistake # 4:    Poor Communication and Co-Parenting with Your Ex    The fourth simple and avoidable mistake made by parents in the midst of a child custody  battle in California is bad communication. Another simple piece of advise: ​COMMUNICAT​E,  don’t act like a child, it will save a lot of time, money and pain in the long run, and certainly  help your case. When parents can’t agree on joint legal custody, then a judge will probably  grant one parent sole decision-making authority (on account of the other parent’s refusal or  inability to co-parent). Don’t put yourself in that position by being stubborn or childish.    Dumb Mistake # 5:     Hire an Inexperienced California Child Custody Attorney   

4. Five Dumb Mistakes NOT to Make in a Child Custody or  Visitation Rights Case    Don’t make the fifth most common mistake and choose a ​family law​ attorney who may not  get the best outcome possible for you and your children.     DON’T TAKE UNCALCULATED RISKS WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR FAMILY  Instead, contact the Law Offices of Attorney Eliana Phelps ​HERE​ to discuss your California  Child Custody case. We will be with you every step of the way and you will receive the best  representation and result to build towards a happy future with your kids.