When parents go through a divorce, this is a life-changing event not only for the adults but for the children as well. Based on the factors addressed during the divorce process, parents might be awarded primary custody, joint custody, or visitation. If negative information is used against you when you are in a child custody dispute, this could harm your ability to spend time with your children or even have access to them.
When involved in a contentious divorce, it is likely that much will be said out of spite. Emotions are high and many hurtful statements might be made. For instance, allegations of drug and alcohol abuse could be harmful to a parent in a custody dispute. Once an allegation is made, it is likely that the court will order drug or alcohol testing. These tests will determine if a parent in fact has a problem.
However, there are a variety of ways to test for this, and some are more reliable than others. Thus, even if a test comes back positive, parents should understand what options are available to them. Whether that means challenging the results, asking for a second chance, or even submitting yourself to rehabilitation, it is imperative to note what results could occur in any of these scenarios. Nonetheless, a positive test result could mean alterations to a custody arrangement, such as only allowing for supervised visits.
If you are dealing with a child custody dispute, it is important to understand the situation you are in and what options are available to you. This might require legal guidance so that you are fully aware of your rights. Whether it is through litigation, mediation, or collaboration, obtaining a fair and workable custody arrangement is not only important for parents, but for the children as well.
Source: Dmagazine.com, “How Alcohol and Drug Allegations Can Impact Your Child Custody Case,” Oct. 16, 2017