In an ideal situation, parents divorce on amicable terms and remain committed to parenting their kids collaboratively. This is not always how things go, though, of course—a divorce often involves animosity, and that animosity often bleeds into custody negotiations. If you are unsure that your ex is fit to co-parent your children, you might be considering advocating for full custody rights.
There are a number of reasons why this move might be the right one for your children. According to data from the Census, most custodial parents live at or below the poverty line, so if you fight for full custody for any of these reasons and win, you should receive child support, too.
1. Addiction issues
It is an unfortunate truth that many adults suffer from substance abuse issues, including addiction. Whether this relates to drugs or alcohol, the end result is a parent who is not fit to look after a child. If you suspect that your ex has substance abuse issues, or if you know this for a fact, you should fight for full custody of your kids. Being around such substances is a risk to their health and well-being.
2. Unstable home
Drug and alcohol abuse is not the only factor that might make a home unsafe for your children. If your ex is generally incapable of providing a stable home for other reasons such as mental illness or insecure employment, this is also a reason why you might want to advocate for full custodial rights of your children. They deserve a safe and stable home, and you deserve peace of mind.
3. Insufficient income
Lastly, you should be sure to consider the financial standing of your ex. In many cases, newly single parents will struggle to re-establish themselves financially, and this can make it difficult for them to share custody, too. If you are worried about your ex’s ability to provide for your children’s basic needs, you should consider the relevance this has to a custody agreement.
