When a married couple with children gets a divorce, the court pays extra attention to protect the child’s wellbeing. To make sure that the child does not end up living with an unfit parent, the court takes away custodial rights from the particular parent. Therefore, it is essential who is considered an unfit parent.
When a couple gets a divorce, there forms a mistrust between them that may affect their ability to trust each other regarding their child. One party may try to establish that the other party is an unfit parent for the sake of full custody. Coil Law lawyers can protect your rights in such situations and make sure you have access to your child after your divorce.
Factors that make an unfit parent
- Age-appropriate limitations.
There are things that a child should not be doing until they have reached a certain age. For example, a five-year-old should not be allowed to watch R-rated movies, and a teenager should have a curfew. It is possible that one parent may be more lenient than the other and that the couple may not always agree on all limitations. However, if one parent is allowing their minor child to be in extreme situations, they are unfit for parenting.
- Childcare history.
In all families, one parent takes care of their child for a longer time than others. However, if the situation becomes extreme, it is a red flag. If one parent relentlessly relies on the other to take care of their child and not contribute a part in raising the kid, they are probably unfit.
- Domestic violence/abuse.
Abuse comes in many forms- physical, verbal, and emotional. If one or both parents have ever engaged in domestic abuse and if the child has witnessed it or has been a part of it, one or both parents are unfit for raising them. It is never okay for one parent to abuse another, especially in front of a child. Witnessing abuse can have a life-long effect on them. If you are facing abuse from your spouse, you can file for a restraining order or file a domestic violence lawsuit.
- Child abuse.
The court is likely to hold you as an unfit parent if you have ever confronted abuse on your child. Abuse by their own parents can traumatize a child for life and is something that is very difficult to overcome. It may also result in personality disorders as they grow up. If a parent has a child abuse history or is currently doing so, the court will likely only allow occasional visits.
