Managing the school's legal risks

If you have decided to divorce your wife, you may be very concerned about maintaining your rights to access your children. Your rights as a father will be largely determined by the outcome of the divorce. During a divorce, various negotiations will take place between the two parties. However, these negotiations can be challenging due to the emotions which are generated when you end a long-term relationship. Below is a guide to some of the things you can do which will help you maintain contact with your children after the divorce.

Provide financial support

Even if you do not have full visitation rights, you should still maintain monetary payments to your children and their mother. Reluctance to make maintenance payments will create a negative impression in any family court. Having said this, it is also important that you ensure that any maintenance payments are reasonable. A family lawyer will be able to help you to negotiate the payment amount.

Establish paternity

While this may not seem like a very nice thing to have to do, establishing that you are the biological father of the children can be an important first step in your fight to see your children. In the past, there have been cases where mothers have claimed that a man isn't the biological father in an attempt to deny the dad access to his kids. DNA testing can help to establish beyond reasonable doubt that you are the biological father of your children.

Behave well

Any anti-social or criminal behaviour will seriously damage your chance of winning visitation rights. Even if you are very angry, you should always try to behave well. You should also refrain from any type of criminal activity.

Maintain your relationship

During the divorce proceedings, it is extremely important that you do all you can to maintain your relationship with your kids. Even if you see them less often, you should make an effort to maximise the number of meaningful activities which you do together. Not only will this help you emotionally during what can be a difficult time, it will also help to demonstrate to the judge that you are serious about fathering your kids. The level of access which you maintain with your children could be an important factor when a family court judge is deciding access rights.

If you would like further advice, you should speak with a family law solicitor today.