St. Patrick's Day and Divorce
Don’t Rely on the Luck of the Irish to Protect Your Case on St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is a great holiday to celebrate with friends and family, and the only time of year to drink as much green beer as anyone could want. When you are recently separated, divorced, or involved in another legal issue such as child custody or support, St. Patrick’s Day also brings the opportunity to harm your legal interests. Too much green beer can lead to poor decision making, which can lead to a bad outcome in your case.
If you are fighting for more visitation time with your children, or child support, be prepared to explain yourself in court. If St. Patrick’s Day falls on your day of parenting time, be prepared to explain to the court why going out to drink with your friends is more important than spending that time with your children. Whatever your reason, the court will not agree with you. If you are asking for a reduction in your child support because of an undue hardship, be prepared to explain to the court why you do not have enough money to maintain your child support, but you have money to go out drinking.
If you are fighting for custody, be prepared to explain any photos taken of you and posted on social media. Remember “a picture is worth a thousand words”; no matter how innocent or normal you may believe your behavior is, such as chugging beers, that picture in court will make you look careless or like a drunk.
If you do go out for the St. Patrick’s Day fun, do not break the law. If you get in a fight, or arrested for possession of an illegal substance, it may all be brought against you in your legal case. In a custody or visitation case, the court always looks at the best interest of the child. The court views the best interest of the child as a safe, loving, and stable environment. Think about how your actions will affect your children and the outcome of your case.
If you are arrested for driving under the influence, the court may restrict your ability to transport your children. A DUI charge may also affect your ability to drive to and from work, affecting your ability to pay child support and legal fees. If you arrested for DUI, contact an experienced DUI attorney, Charlie Rowland. Check out his website throughout the weekend for DUI checkpoints at daytondui.com.
Don’t rely on the luck of the Irish during St. Patty’s Day during a family law case, but use common sense, and always think of how your actions could affect your case before dancing that jig.
To discuss your divorce, dissolution, child custody, support, or visitation issue, contact Attorney Jamie Anderson, at (937)879-9542, for a free in-office or telephone consultation.
