Can a Mother Lose Custody of Her Child in Indiana?
It’s commonly assumed that mothers are automatically granted primary custody of their children simply because they gave birth to the child and somehow have more rights than the father. However, in many states, including Indiana, mothers and fathers have equal rights to custody, and primary custody is based on the best interests of the child.
Although a mother may gain primary custody initially because it may be best for everyone involved, a mother can lose custody of her child if the environment she provides becomes detrimental in some way. Whether you’re a mother trying to keep your custody rights or a father trying to gain rights, hiring a Terre Haute family law attorney from Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm can be useful in your case.
Why a Mother Might Lose Custody
A mother can lose custody rights for many reasons. Some of these reasons may include lack of involvement in the child’s life, proof of drug or alcohol abuse, proof of domestic abuse, or proof that the mother has been discouraging the relationship between the child and their father.
Usually, a mother will receive warnings before immediately losing custody unless the situation poses a serious risk to the child.
Best Interest of the Child
When bringing evidence into the courtroom to determine whether primary custody should be switched from mother to father or if the mother should lose custody and the child should be placed with another family member or guardian, the best interests of the child is the determining factor in the case.
A family law attorney in Terre Haute can help negotiate with the judge to show why the child will be better off living with one party over the other. In the end, the judge will come to a decision and custody can be changed.
Reach Out to a Terre Haute Family Lawyer
Custody battles are never easy. If you’re fighting to keep custody of your child, you’ll have to defend your character and your parenting skills to the judge. If you’re fighting to gain custody, you may feel like you’re trying to expose the mother of your child in hopes that you’ll win.
With the help of an experienced lawyer from Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm, we’ll support you and make the process feel less complex. If you’re ready to speak to a Terre Haute family law attorney about your case, fill out the contact form below or call 1-812-232-7400 to schedule a free consultation.
