In Ohio, and elsewhere in the country, there are many misconceptions about child custody and child custody rights. One of the main myths is that the mother usually receives custody of the children. In fact, married parents of minor children go into custody court with equal rights.

According to news reports, fathers who seek primary custody of their children are actually awarded custody about half of the time. This is because custody laws are gender neutral. Late last year, a news column discussed several of the common pitfalls that cause a parent to lose custody.

If you are planning to seek custody of your children, here are several elements that will likely be reviewed, according to the Huffington Post column:

  • Are you active in your child's life? In many households, one parent takes on the role of the primary caretaker of children, and this parent will be at an advantage during a custody dispute. It certainly will not appear flattering if the parent seeking custody clearly is not currently involved in the child's day-to-day upbringing at all. And, it will also be important for this parent to know important things such as the names of his or her children's teachers.
  • Do you display good judgment and decorum? Parents who publicly lose their temper or composure, particularly in the courtroom or even in front of social workers or others, may be less likely to get custody. A parent who cannot exhibit self-control will be at a disadvantage.
  • Are you addressing any addiction issues? If a parent suffers from an alcohol or drug addiction, this will appear as a major red flag in court. It is important to seek treatment.
  • Do you badmouth the other parent? It is very important to respect a child's relationship with the other parent. A parent who puts down the other parent in front of the child, or negatively influences the child's relationship with that parent, may be reprimanded in court.

In conclusion, during a custody dispute, it is very important to display to the judge that you have your child's best interests in mind and that you are a competent parent who is able to put that priority into practice.

Source: Huffington Post, "How to lose child custody," Jacqueline Harounian, Dec. 12, 2011