Going through a child custody battle with your former spouse can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Not only are you fighting for the right to still be a part of your child’s life, but you’re also having to adapt to a new chapter in your own life without the person you used to be married to. Parents in North Carolina can relieve a little of the stress associated with a child custody hearing by knowing some of the questions the judge will probably ask them.
Employment Status
The primary concern of the judge who is handling your child custody case will be the well-being of the child. One of the key factors to a child’s safety and security is whether or not you are able to financially provide for them. This doesn’t mean that a parent who has been a stay-at-home caregiver for a while will lose custody of a child, but a judge may want to know why that parent hasn’t been employed recently and whether or not they are seeking employment.
Communication
There are some parts of the custody hearing that may be more uncomfortable than others. This might be especially true when the judge starts inquiring about your relationship with the other parent. It is not uncommon for a judge to want to know how well you communicate with your former partner. After all, it’s an important part of effectively raising your child. Ideally, you and your ex are able to remain cordial for the sake of your children and will be able to tell the judge that you can at least communicate with each other.
Involvement in the Child’s Life
It’s uncommon for two parents to split parenting responsibilities perfectly evenly. No matter how much they may try, one parent does tend to be more involved in the child’s daily activities. The judge will probably ask you and your ex how involved you each are in the daily activities of your child.
There may be other questions that come up during your custody hearing, and your attorney can help prepare you for most of them. The most important thing is answering these questions honestly and working with the family law court in order to provide the best life for your children.