You worry that your ex is dangerous for your children to be around. You do not want them going to his or her house. You want full custody. You want to do everything in your power to protect them.
The first thing you should know is that courts do take this seriously. Bring up your concerns during the divorce. Even if the divorce already happened and the ruling gave your ex custody rights — perhaps you didn’t worry about the danger then, but things have changed in the years since the divorce — you can go back to court. Instead of acting on your own, get in front of a judge.
After all, the law focuses on the best interests of the children. The goal is to protect them at every turn. If they really are in danger, the law is on your side.
Make sure you can do more than just explain your side of the case. You want to back up those claims with hard evidence whenever possible. Examples of potential evidence could include:
- Text messages
- Witness accounts
- Voicemail messages
- Medical records
- Photographs
If things get really bad, you may even need to take out a protective order against your ex. Not only does this mean that the children won’t live with them, but it also means your ex cannot come to your home, their school, your church or any other location that violates the order. Any violation could lead to an arrest. This deterrent can help keep the kids safe and provide court-mandated space between your family and your ex.
It is incredibly important that you understand all of your legal rights in a situation like this. Leave nothing to chance. Take no risks. Find out what options you have.
