Cases in which both parents want custody, can quickly become contentious and too often the parties' strategic approach to this issue is to say terrible things about each other.  ​Family Court Judges are familiar with this, and frequently take "bad mouthing" of one parent by the other "with a grain of salt."  ​If a parent poses a genuine risk to a child then it should be raised, otherwise it's better to focus on what you have to offer, rather than what the other parent does not.  

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Here are a non-exclusive list of five (5) factors that I like to develop for the the Court  to consider in making a custody determination that you should consider in preparing your custody case.  Obviously, appropriate evidence will be offered of the facts presented.  

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1.  Be involved in your child's life. Do you wake your kid up in the morning, make breakfast, help him get ready for school, take him to school, help with homework and prepare him for bed?

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2.  Be an effective disciplinarian. Do you effectively discipline your child?  Is your child well behaved with you?  Do he have chores? An allowance?  

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3.  Know your child. Who are his teacher?  Friends?  What are his interests?  What activities do you do with your child?  

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4.  Be financially stable.  Do you have a steady job earning sufficient wages to support your family?  

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5.  Be socially stable. Where do you live?  Who lives with you?  Are boyfriends or girlfriends rotating through your life?  

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 Witnesses who may testify to these matters include your family, close friends, teachers, therapists or others who have an intimate knowledge of your family life and relationship with your child.