Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

When going through a divorce, custody and parenting time case, or an order of protection proceeding, you must not be your own worst enemy and cause your own problems, that even the greatest lawyer cannot fix. Even if nothing is filed in court, if you have reason to believe the other parent may take you back and make allegations, you must protect yourself.

Do not argue, curse, or scream. Speak nicely no matter what the other parent says or does. The other parent may be just trying to pull your strings. It may be being taped or there may be witnesses who will lie for the other parent. It may be to set you up for an order of protection or a violation of an existing one.

Do not take nonprescription drugs of any kind and do not use prescription drugs greater than prescribed. Personally, I could care less as long as you are not under the influence while the children are present, but the courts do care and you could end up with limited supervised visitation and an order of protection.

Do not drink alcohol in proximity to having the children, not just so you are not under the influence, but also so that you do not smell of alcohol. Make sure you do not risk drinking and driving even without the children, as a DWI could get supervised visitation. Some drug tests can back as far as two years.

Do not tell your children anything you do not want the other parent to know, like a new job or a pay raise. Never tell the children to not tell the other parent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a divorce, custody or order of protection case, even if only said to the children.

Think first, and be cautious to protect yourself. Don’t let your mouth or reactions sink you.