For men who worry that they’ll be at a disadvantage in custody cases, the good news is that there are ways to make a good impression on the court. By following a few helpful tips, you can show you are invested in your child and that you respect the court and judge.
Here are five different things you can do to prepare for court and give off a first impression you can be proud of. Your attorney can help you prepare, so you are ready for your custody hearing.
1. Invest time in your child
The first thing you should do is make sure you’re investing time in your child. That means that you’re taking an interest in your child’s life as well as taking care of your child at home. You should have some responsibility when it comes to going to doctors’ appointments, school meetings or other activities involving your child.
2. Get to know your child’s life
Next, get to know your child’s life well. Know his or her teacher’s name, the name of the school, his or her doctor’s name and other vital information. If the court asks, you don’t want to look as if you have no clue about these important parts of your child’s life.
3. Come dressed to impress
After that, remember that any time you go to court, you need to look prepared. Wear nice pants, a shirt and tie if you have it. A good rule of thumb is to wear business casual clothing, but wearing something that is clean, not wrinkled and in good condition is acceptable. You should make sure you also look like you’re taken care of, trimming facial hair or getting hair cuts as necessary. Appearance may not reflect personality, but your appearance is the first thing you’ll be judged on.
4. Be on time
Any time you have a court date, you need to be on time. Being late does not look good to the court and can give off the appearance that you do not care about the outcome of a case or that you haven’t made it a priority.
5. Be respectful
Finally, be respectful. Don’t talk when the judge is talking, and don’t argue with others in the room. You need to show restraint and be respectful to anyone you meet at the courthouse.
These are five tips to help you make a good impression. With the right impression, you’ll be able to move forward confidently during your custody hearing.