1.877.602.9900
Best Free Vancouver, BC Family Lawyer Tips for your BC Child Custody Case, Vancouver Child Guardianship and Surrey Child Access Case
Are you involved in an important BC child custody, guardianship and access case? If so you MUST WATCH OUR VIDEO AND READ THIS ARTICLE IMMEDIATELY AND THEN CALL US at 604-602-9000 or Province wide toll free at 1-877-602-9900.
Our MacLean Family Law Group associate, Leena Ronak Yousefi, is an BC Iranian family lawyer who is fluent in Farsi, Spanish and English and eager to help you with your BC child custody case.
The new BC Family Law Legislation Family Law Act which will be formalized in July of 2012 in British Columbia reiterates the best interest of children test as a paramount consideration in deciding the care, custody, guardianship and access of children. Children are the most important issue in family litigation when spouses do not agree on their custody or each wants to have ‘full’ custody of children. Child Custody litigation can be lengthy and expensive but good lawyers can focus on a speedy negotiated settlement if they are experienced in the area.
Here are four tips for preparing your custody affidavits or giving evidence on the stand:
1) The Courts do not care about how mean she/he was to you: The Courts only care about your children’s rights, not how to get revenge on your behalf from your ex-partner. Only focus on how your partner may have mistreated or endangered your children and how he or she may play a negative effect on their upbringing. If your partner was a good mother or father during your relationship, he or she has every right to bond with your children and just as much as you. Your children should never pay for personal animosity.
2) Take the high road: if your partner belittles or offends you in his or her affidavit or on the stand, do not sink down to his or her level. Rise up and show your maturity through focusing how you bad mouthing your partner may negatively impact your children. Do tell the court that you purposely avoid talking badly about your ex-partner because as a parent you must look past personal feelings to provide the best for your children.
3) Focus on the environment and opportunities for your children: ask yourself: does your home or your ex-partner’s home provide the best living condition for your children? What are some activities or schools around your area that would benefit your children? Why would your children benefit from living with you more than living with your ex-partner? Who has more time to spend with the children? Who can provide more support and stability? Who can be a better role model and why? Be specific. Give specific examples. Do not talk about your ideas or beliefs. Talk about facts and instances. Show the judge that you have thought about your children’s future and you have a concrete plan for their upbringing.
4) Show the court that you know your children: Do not say you are a good mother or father. Show the court, through your memories and experiences with your children, that you know and care about them. What is your child’s favourite meal? Favourite activity? Favourite story? How close are you with your child? Imagine the judge as a stranger who knows nothing about you. How are you going to convince him or her that you are truthful and caring? By telling him or her that you are a good person or by showing him, through your actions, that you mean and can prove what you say?
The judge is that stranger. Never assume. Aim to prove your case with thorough preparation and a lawyer familiar with this complex and emotional area.
Leena Ronak Yousefi is an Iranian lawyer practicing family law in Vancouver, British Columbia. She can meet with you at any of our 4 locations in Surrey, downtown Vancouver, Fort St. John and Kelowna. If you need help with your children’s custody, call us at any of our 4 offices Province wide by calling 1-877-602-9900 or click here to fill out an initial consolation form too meet with one of our 10 family lawyers.