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to your ability to be a great parent, or their experiences that lead them to believe your spouse will not be such a good residential parent. It's tough business. To make it less anxiety producing you should realize that you are doing what is in the best interest of the child, and make sure that IS what you are doing.

Whenever you have a court hearing, dress appropriately. I attended one hearing recently where the father came in thrift store vintage army fatigues. That doesn't send a great message to the court. You don't have to go crazy, just wear something that is respectful to the court. For men, khaki pants and a sweater are acceptable. For women, a simple skirt and blouse are fine.

Keep your cool. Don't lose it in the court hearings. Let your attorney do the arguing for you. If you know your spouse is being untruthful or trying to manipulate the situation, explain how to your attorney. The judge or magistrate has seen it all. It is likely that they've already realized what's going on. They know what people say and how they act when they are full of bull. Your attorney will also point it out.

If you've followed your attorney's instructions and prepared as much as possible as illustrated above, you've done what you can. The rest is out of your hands now, but the ultimate outcome will be determined in great part by the preparations you have made up to that point. You can rest assured that you have done everything in your power to secure an outcome that is in the best interests of your child. And that is all anyone can ever ask of a parent.

Note: I am an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio. The laws of your state may differ. This article is not to be used as legal advice but as illustration only. If you have any concerns or doubts about your particular situation, you should seek the advice of an attorney. You may want to review my article portfolio article on related legal topics.

Learn more about this author, Joseph Hazelbaker.
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