If you’re a father, you may already feel that there is bias in the system that keeps you from getting custody of your children, whether you are unmarried or going through a divorce. You may think that despite claims about wanting equal involvement, the reality is that courts tend to give custody to mothers.
Now, if you are also a work-from-home father or a stay-at-home father, you may face additional hurdles, according to some who have been through this process.
One man said that he tried to get equal custody, but his wife wanted sole custody. His judge was an elderly gentleman who likely held “traditional” family values, and he seemed to find it hard to understand that the father worked out of his house, rather than in an office setting.
“He seemed confused by the fact that I worked from home,” the man said in an interview with Fatherly. “He asked several questions that suggested to me that he believed this meant I was unemployed.”
This, of course, was an incorrect take, but it may have given the man’s wife an edge in the custody hearing, according to his account of the situation. He also felt like the judge didn’t understand how or why he really wanted to be involved or wanted more than visitation rights.
In their report on the event, Fatherly suggests that this is not an uncommon or unique experience. A lot of men may really feel like it’s an uphill battle attempting to stay involved with their children. If this happens to you, it can be incredibly frustrating, and it’s important that you understand what rights you have.
