Child custody can be a hectic procedure. In addition, can be a little weird and confusing to pass on the right/fair verdict against the case. In one of the cases of child custody, Attorney Susan Bender says, “I have seen paternity battles a lot, even been a part of vicious tugs-of-war over children, but never seen, heard, or been a part of something like this”.
In a case of child custody, two couples out of which one was a lesbian couple and the other was a gay couple made an agreement where the gay couple donated the sperm and the lesbian couple donated the egg. These four people made an agreement to divide the year into four halves and share the responsibilities of the baby equally. But fate wasn’t by their side and in the ninth month, the agreement stumbled. And the custody claim was filed by one of the two from the lesbian couple.
The scenario was, there was four contestant for the child and each one of them was legit.
Now, you might not be aware of the procedure for filing a child custody petition if it’s your first time, but, those who did it earlier know it very well. Below is a step to step guide by an experienced attorney that’ll help you smoothly file the petition and ensure a win.
- Step 1
Determine the requirements for important documents, birth certificate, and another document that can strengthen your claim and ensure a strong petition. Each state has different has its own procedures for filing a child custody petition, hence, you’ll need to research the rules beforehand.
- Step 2
Prepare a petition for the custody, a formal document which claims the custody fo the child from the court. Again, each state has its own format and you must do it accordingly after conducting good research. You may take help from the court in getting a template issued by the court.
- Step 3
Provide enough information about the child and each one of the parents who might contest against the custody. Documents containing child’s details and parents details must be submitted.
- Step 4
Talk about the result you desire in the formal document. It can be a specific custody arrangement, sole custody, or a joint custody arrangement depending on you. If you want sole custody, you’ve to submit evidence that can prove the other parent unfit to justify your sole claim.
- Step 5
Find a clerk to file your petition. The Uniform Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act, according to which you’ll have to file the petition with a legitimate clerk of the court for custody in the appropriate jurisdiction.
- Step 6
Provide the other parent of the child with the copy of the report after filing the petition in order to serve the petition. You can use the sheriff, or a registered mail service to deliver the mail to the other parent.
- Step 7
Provide the court with a proof of service after you have served the child as a custodian.
- Step 8
The final trump card: compile all the documents which can act as evidence and support your custody petition and draw the judgment in your favor.
