Going through a divorce can be one of the toughest and most challenging times in someone’s life. That stress is compounded when there are children involved. Fathers have it especially hard these days. Often thought of as the financial providers, dads may not get the time with their children that they deserve when the final child custody agreement is settled. Too often, too many fathers are left struggling to pay monthly child support for children they rarely get to see. Is that fair? No. Does it happen? Yes. Fathers need Chicago divorce lawyers on their side to ensure their rights are protected.
For fathers getting divorced or considering such a path, it has never been more important to have the right legal counsel. According to the guardian.com, “many men feel they get a raw deal from the family court system when it comes to custody and access to their children.” Judges, for example, may still often cling to old-fashioned notions of the mother as the natural caretaker of the children. The idea of mothers being primary caretakers and fathers being providers presents some major issues that need to be addressed within our legal system. When the system discriminates against fathers in family courts, those fathers need a divorce lawyer for men who knows how to advocate effectively for fathers’ rights.
The majority of states these days give equal consideration to the mother and father unless there is a major reason not to, such as a record of domestic violence or other behavior that could be detrimental to the child’s well-being. If you are a father seeking custody, don’t let anyone discourage you.
According to fatherly.com, many fathers fear family courts when it comes to getting custody of their children. Statistics have demonstrated that mothers get majority or full custody of their children the majority of the time. Of note, however, is that custody is most often settled before a judge signs off on the arrangement. Why the favoritism towards mothers, then? Men going into the process already feeling cornered is the simple answer.
The father may have been the breadwinner, for example, and now having two households instead of one will require even more financial commitment. This could mean that fathers have to work even more. Long hours, having to wake children up early, and other inconveniences can make it easier for a judge to rule in favor of the mother.
As times change, it is more important than ever to be guided by competent legal counsel when getting divorced. A father involved in a divorce or seeking to obtain a divorce needs to ensure that their rights are protected and represented during the process. Visit us online today at www.familylawadvocate.com or feel free to give us a call. Our professional staff is here to answer any questions you may have and to help make sure your rights as a father are protected.