What evidence can I or should I present at trial for child custody?

[Beck]

I am going to represent myself at court for a child custody case. The father is not fit to be around my son. He smokes cigarettes, marijuana, on a daily basis. He drives speeding most of the time. He was never interested on the baby until now that my son is 18 months. He has comments on myspace, facebook, and I would like to know which evidence I may use in court. Thank you.

[Guess Who]

What a creep!! Just think, only a little over 2 years ago YOU chose him to be the father of your child!

That said, the court is really only interested what is in the best interest of your child. Basically, it is in the best interest of the child to grow up knowing both his parents.

You have to prove that you are the better parent. Bad mouthing your ex in court only reflects badly on you. After all, you picked him. Be calm, confident, and collected. Keep your emotions in check. Present solid evidence of your exes irresponsibility. Do you have evidence of his illegal activities. Has ever been arrested for his marijuana use. Bring police reports. Arrest records, etc., Has ever been fined for traffic violations, again concrete proof.

Do a little snooping. Talk with his neighbors. What is their impression of him. Does he keep normal hours? What kind of friends hang around him? Noise, wild parties? You get the picture; anything that would be detrimental to the well being of a small child.

Who will help him care for your child while the child is in his father's custody? Does he frequently change girl-friends. If so, a filandering father is not a good role model for his son.

The idea is not to trash your ex, the idea is to prove that you are the better parent.

Courts rarely grant overnight visitation for children younger than 3 so make sure that your ex don't get overnight visits right now.

Good luck