There are many different reasons a mother may lose custody of her child, but the most common is abuse. Although women are typically considered less likely to physically abuse their children than men, the fact is that both sexes can be abusive to their children. For example, a mother who fails to protect her child from an abusive new romantic partner might lose custody.
Another cause is neglect. Children who have not been adequately cared for by their mothers can be exposed to disease and even develop mental illnesses, and this may be grounds for changing custody. Leaving a child with an nanny or babysitter will make the mother look bad in the eyes of the child’s judge.
Other causes of loss of custody include serious neglect. This neglect can include not providing a child with food, clothing, and shelter. Serious neglect can also include failing to provide the child with necessities like medical care. A mother should be able to provide her child with all the necessities she promised, or the child may be considered abducted.
A mother may also lose custody if the child is abducted. This is an illegal act and the court can order the mother to limit her visitation with her child. A judge can also order that the child be monitored by the child protective services. Similarly, a mother who abducts her child can lose custody if she violates the custody order.
Nonconforming behavior is another common cause of loss of custody. If the mother does not follow the custody agreement, her ex-spouse may try to take custody of the child. Moreover, a mother who is a good parent will not have to face custody battles with her ex-spouse. Therefore, it is vital for a mother to hire a family law attorney who can help her navigate through the legal process.
The third reason for loss of custody is that the mother violates her custody order. A mother who fails to follow the custody court order will be considered incompetent to provide care, guidance, and support to her child. In these cases, a mother who fails to follow the custody order can lose custody of her child if she has repeatedly violated it.
Another common reason for losing custody is that a mother has substance abuse problems. Substance abuse can make it difficult for a mother to parent and can endanger the child’s life. If the mother gets treatment for her addiction, she may be able to retain custody.
Mental illness is also another common reason for losing custody. Mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia can affect a parent’s ability to care for the children. However, a mother with severe mental illness may lose custody of her children. In these cases, the other parent can document the mental disorder and argue that the mother is not capable of co-parenting with her child. In such cases, the judge will require counseling or psychological testing.
