For most Arkansas parents, their children are the most important thing in their lives. As a result, when parents decide to divorce, they understandably want to do whatever they can to remain in their children’s lives as much as possible. Of course, obtaining child custody can be more difficult than many individuals believe, so it is important that parents put their best foot forward when it comes to trying to obtain custody.
First, it is important that parents are still willing to work together for the good of their children. If parents have a great deal of animosity toward each other and refuse to even show a willingness to work together, the court will likely not look favorably on that stance. Instead, if a parent truly wants custody, that parent may have a better chance with the court by showing that he or she understands the importance of the children having both parents in their lives.
Additionally, parents should ensure that they exercise their parental rights and play an active role in their children’s lives. Even if a parent only has visitation rights at a certain point, it is important that the parent tries to make quality time with their kids a priority during those visits while also ensuring that daily necessities are taken care of. For example, the parent may want to do fun things with the children but also needs to show that he or she will enforce rules, implement chores, ensure that homework is done and handle parental obligations.
Some parents may automatically think that they should be awarded child custody. However, the court must keep the best interests of the children in mind, and to do so, the court may require that a parent demonstrate that he or she will act as a responsible and caring parent. If Arkansas residents are interested in gaining more information on their legal rights and options when it comes to custody, they may wish to discuss their concerns with knowledgeable attorneys.