👶 Top 5 Custody Mistakes to Avoid in Rhode Island Family Court
If you’re in the middle of a custody battle in Rhode Island, one wrong move can seriously hurt your case. Whether you’re divorcing, modifying a parenting plan, or just trying to get more time with your child, here are the five biggest custody mistakes people make—and how to avoid them.
đźš« Mistake #1: Badmouthing the Other Parent (Especially in Front of the Kids)
You’re mad. We get it. But bashing your ex to your children—or even where they can overhear—can tank your credibility in court.
What Judges See: Parental alienation.
What That Means for You: You look petty and manipulative, not protective.
🧠Pro Tip: Keep the focus on your child’s well-being, not your ex’s flaws. Let your lawyer do the fighting.
đźš« Mistake #2: Ignoring Temporary Orders
Think a temporary order is just a suggestion? Think again.
If the court says your ex gets the kids on Wednesday nights and you don’t comply, you’re violating a court order—and that’s a fast track to losing parenting time or getting slapped with contempt.
🧠Pro Tip: Follow every order to the letter, even if you’re planning to challenge it.
đźš« Mistake #3: Showing Up to Court Unprepared
Walking into Rhode Island Family Court without documentation, clear goals, or legal representation? That’s like showing up to a sword fight with a pool noodle.
You need:
A proposed parenting schedule
Documentation of concerns (texts, emails, incident logs)
A lawyer who knows the judge and the system
🧠Pro Tip: Think like a strategist, not a reactor.
đźš« Mistake #4: Putting Your New Partner in the Middle
Bringing your new boyfriend/girlfriend into court, putting them in charge of pickups/drop-offs, or letting them discipline your child can seriously backfire—especially early in the case.
What Judges Think: You’re prioritizing your dating life over your child’s stability.
🧠Pro Tip: Keep the new relationship out of the courtroom and off your social media until the dust settles.
🚫 Mistake #5: Thinking the Court Cares About “Winning”
Custody cases aren’t about winning. They’re about what’s in the best interest of the child—under Rhode Island’s Pettinato factors (yes, judges actually use them).
If you show up ready to “destroy” your ex, the judge will see you as the problem—not the solution.
🧠Pro Tip: Be the parent who cooperates, compromises, and keeps calm. That’s the one who wins long-term.
đź‘” Need Help With Custody in Rhode Island?
At Cardona & Perez Law, we know Rhode Island Family Court inside and out. We help parents:
Build solid parenting plans
Fight for more time with their kids
Enforce or modify existing custody orders
Navigate high-conflict co-parenting dynamics
📞 Let’s Talk
If you’re facing a custody battle, don’t go it alone.
➡️ Call us today at (401) 475-5436
➡️ Email: ben@cardonaperezlaw.com
➡️ Schedule a consultation right on our site
We’ll help you avoid the traps—and fight for what matters most: your children.