If you’re a father and husband going through a divorce, you’re not alone. In fact, statistics show that nearly 876,000 divorces become final throughout the United States annually. Considering that, many of these divorces involve couples who have children together. If you’re a father trying to get custody of your children during this time, it’s important to be prepared. Considering that, here are four preparation tips for fathers wanting custody of their children during a divorce.

• Contact a Divorce Lawyer Right Away
  
  You’ll definitely want to have someone with knowledge of child custody law on your side during this situation. Therefore, it’s wise to contact a divorce lawyer as soon as possible. In addition to having legal guidance, a divorce attorney is valuable to have your side while in a custody battle. Without having knowledge of child custody law, it’s easy for someone to end up making mistakes in the courtroom.
• Provide an Adequate Environment for Your Child
  
  Whether trying to receive joint or full custody, it’s important that you can prove your child has a stable environment. This means preparing a room for your child at your home in the event that one isn’t already there. In addition, you’ll want to consider having any major home problems repaired right away.
• Increase Involvement in Child’s Life
  
  While this might seem like an obvious tip, it’s an easy one for parents to overlook. If you’re involved in a custody battle, it’s time to step up everything you do as a parent. This means visiting your child’s school and letting them know your willingness to help wherever possible. In addition, it’s wise to ensure you’re able to attend any sports events your child is participating in. This shows that you’re doing everything possible to be involved in your child’s life.
• Start Getting References Together
  
  Another set of statistics found that nearly 1 million children become involved in divorce proceedings per year. Unfortunately, certain divorce proceedings can become quite contested in the event that both parents want full custody. In these situations, you’ll want to have references or witnesses prepared who can speak on your behalf. If possible, try to find witnesses from professions that have a lot to do with children or otherwise serving the community. In a closely contested custody battle, the difference between winning or losing could come down to which parent prepared references.

In closing, it’s extremely important to be prepared while fighting for the custody of your children. Statistics show that 30% of marriages coming to an end involve couples with children under the age of 18. Considering that, it’s important that you have a divorce lawyer on your side during these proceedings. You’ll want to have someone with knowledge of child custody laws in order to have the best possible chance of winning this potential battle.