Find and keep stability in all aspects of your life.

Stability is your key to custody. Nothing concerns a custody judge more than a parent who keeps changing jobs, changing housing, and changing who they are dating. These "jumpers" will often have great rationalizations for each change, but the overall pattern will not reflect stability to a judge.

A lot of small imperfections in your housing, job schedule, and choice of mate can be overlooked if they are stable over time. Children thrive on stability. Ever notice how they like to watch the same movie 47 times in a row? This extends to all aspects of the child's life.

Psychologists tell courts that children need routine and stability. So as you can easily see, that judges are going to look for stability and consistency in a parent. If you do need to change jobs or housing, do so with a carefully thought out plan of action.

If you can show the court, for instance that while you have changed jobs three times in five months, that you've averaged a dollar an hour raise at each new job, you will not be found to be unstable, but rather fiscally sensible.

If you change your life around a lot, the other parent will argue that no matter how your current situation seems to the court, that it is unproven and unlikely to last. You can't convince a judge your situation is a good one, if the other side can point out that it is subject to constant revision.

So remember to think stability in all aspect of your personal and public life, to ensure an advantage in custody litigation.

Did you know that it is possible to find an excellent custody attorney?
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TIP #6 - Hire a lawyer who knows custody and who you can afford.

10 ways to better your chances of getting custody.

1. Find an adequate / safe living environment.
2. Stay in the same school district
3. Find a job / work schedule that fits the children’s routine.
4. Avoid cohabitation too soon in a new relationship
5. Find and keep stability in all aspects of your life.
6. Hire  a lawyer who knows custody and who you can afford.
7. Put the children’s needs above the custody fight.
8. Don’t involve the children in the custody fight.
9. Facilitate the opposing party’s custody as much as possible.
10. Know your own limits and needs.