Addiction is a vicious disease that can completely ruin the lives of those caught in its grasp. You’ll find that this can not only impact your career, health, and reputation, but it can also drastically impact your relationship with your children. Unfortunately, many who are in recovery will relinquish custody of their children. However, if you have taken the necessary steps to recover from this disease, you may wonder if this will impact your ability to regain custody. If this reflects your circumstances, the following blog explores what you should know about these difficult matters, including the importance of working with Tampa child custody lawyers to help you fight for the best possible outcome for your circumstances.
Can I Regain Custody if I Recover From Addiction?
While it may seem like once you lose custody, the decision is final, it’s imperative to understand that you do have the ability to file for a change of custody should you prove that substantial changes in your circumstances have occurred that warrant a modification to the current custody arrangement. It’s important to understand that courts all over the United States, including Florida, have determined that an addict rehabilitating and recovering from addiction does warrant a significant enough change in circumstances to modify a previous custody arrangement. However, it’s important to understand that this process is not easy, and can take considerable time.
The most important thing to understand when seeking custody after rehabilitating from addiction is that the court will still consider what is in the best interest of the child. As such, you’ll need to provide considerable evidence that you have recovered and that maintaining a relationship with the child is in their best interest.
What Evidence Should I Provide the Courts?
It’s imperative to understand that the court will not simply take your word that you have made substantial changes to your life and are therefore a fit parent. As such, you’ll need to provide a considerable amount of evidence that you have rehabilitated and turned your life around to be a stable parent for your child.
One of the most important things you can do to show that you have recovered from addiction is to provide evidence that you have successfully completed an addiction recovery program. However, you may also want to enroll in individual counseling or group therapy, as this can help showcase your ongoing commitment to remaining sober. Additionally, you may want to enlist the testimony of your sponsor, who can speak to the steps you’ve taken to turn your life around and remain on the right path.
In addition, you should showcase your commitment to being a fit parent through maintaining a stable job and income, and being able to provide a safe home for your child. In addition, you can show the steps you’ve taken to remain in contact with your child, such as writing letters, emailing back and forth, or making phone calls with the child.
As you can see, regaining custody after overcoming addiction, though difficult, is possible. However, it’s in your best interest to ensure you enlist the assistance of an experienced attorney to help you fight for the best possible outcome during these difficult situations. At Tampa Law Group, we understand how difficult these matters can be to navigate, which is why we will do everything in our power to help you fight for the best possible outcome for your circumstances. When you need assistance, our firm is here. Contact us today to learn more.
