Protecting Your Parental Rights in a Divorce

Going through a divorce can be a stressful experience, especially when children are involved. You may need to navigate custody battles, negotiate parenting time, and address other legal matters concerning your children. As a parent, it’s crucial to protect your parental rights during this process and make the best decisions for your children’s well-being. By understanding your legal rights and responsibilities as a parent, you can make more informed choices and ensure that your children’s best interests remain the top priority.

 Your Legal Rights as a Parent

During a divorce, your parental rights are used to determine custody. There are a few different types of custody arrangements:

• Physical Custody: Where the child will live 
• Legal Custody: Who has the right to make important decisions about the child’s life 
• Joint Custody: Where both parents share responsibilities equally
• Sole Custody: Where one parent has full custody rights

When determining custody, you may have to go to court to figure out a custody arrangement to ensure the best outcome for your child. These different custody arrangements are put in place to ensure you still have rights as a parent. 

If you do not gain custody rights as a parent, you are still entitled to certain rights, such as: 

• Visitation Rights: If you do not have physical custody, you have the right to visitation, allowing you to maintain a relationship with your child. Visitation schedules can be negotiated or determined by the court.
• Right to Be Informed: You are entitled to receive information about your child’s well-being, such as medical records, school reports, and any significant changes in their life.

Steps to Take to Protect Your Parental Rights 

There a certain steps you can take to protect your parental rights, such as:

• Document Your Involvement: Keeping detailed records of your involvement in your child’s life such as daily routines, school activities, and doctor appointments shows that you are an active participant in your child’s life. 
• Communicate Effectively With Your Co-Parent: Maintaining a healthy relationship with your co-parent can show maturity as well as prioritizing discussions about your child’s well-being over personal issues. 
• Prepare a Strong Case: Make sure you prepare all documentation you can that shows your involvement in your child’s life such as photos, school records, witness statements, and communication between you and your co-parent.

Seek Legal Guidance Early

A family law attorney can significantly help protect your parental rights during a divorce. It is important to consult with an attorney early in the divorce process to help plan your approach to custody and determine the best course of action.

At Columbia Family Law Group, LLC, we take an aggressive approach to each case that we take on, and our clients are always the center of our focus. Contact Columbia Family Law today and schedule a consultation with our experienced Missouri family law attorney.