Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in Australia that offers many vacation destinations and job opportunities. With this in mind, the city is ideal for couples who are starting a family.
However, not all couples are meant for each other. Many marriages end up in divorce, and child custody is one of the biggest issues during the process. It’s always best to seek the help of a family lawyer in Sydney to guide you with the process and help you win the custody case.
Why Do Mothers Always Get Child Custody?
If you are the mother, there’s a great chance that you will win the custody case following a divorce. While this has nothing to do with the old presumption that kids should always stay with the mother, the courts decide based on the “best interest of the child.”
If they can put all the hatred aside, parents would always choose what’s best for the child. However, if you’re a divorcing father, you must know that the courts consider some factors in making their decisions. You should also know the steps you can do to show them your parenting skills.
Regardless if you are trying to get sole custody, joint physical custody, or a generous visitation with the child, you should know what the judge will consider when deciding custody issues.
The Primary Caregiver
One factor that determines custody is which parent is the child’s primary caregiver. Usually, the court will give custody to the parent who can provide the child’s needs, the most willing to accept parental duties or the one who’s caring for the child.
The primary caregiver is the parent who has been providing most of the child’s everyday needs, like:
- Feeding
- Playing
- Bathing
- Putting to bed and waking
- Arranging for child care
- Making doctor’s appointments, etc.
In some families, the tasks like these are shared between parents. Some stay-at-home dads do the most responsibility for the kids. However, while most modern women work full time, they still have the primary caregiver roles.
Parent-Child Bond
Another factor that the courts use to determine custody is the bond between the child and the parent. Younger kids are more likely to have a better bond with their mother than their father. The mother normally feeds the child from birth until they become toddlers, allowing a different kind of bond that fathers don’t usually have with their kids. With that being said, young kids always go to their moms for emotional support and basic needs.
The more involvement a father can offer with his baby and young child, the better the bond will be. This is especially true if the father wants joint custody; they must learn how to offer their young child’s care and support.
Kinship With the Other Parent
Most courts consider determining custody if one parent will promote a healthy relationship between the other parent and the child. A parent trying to ruin the child’s relationship with their other parent or not allowing contact with their other parent won’t work. It will, however, if there is a valid reason, like domestic violence or child abuse.
You can get better chances of custody or visitation by staying respectful and civil towards your ex-spouse, and this is especially true in front of your kids. A good family lawyer in Sydney would suggest that it’s better if the parents will not use their kids as pawns in their ongoing battle.
Instead, let the children maintain a healthy, positive relationship with both parents. This is the best for the kids and also best for parents in court.
