Lifestyle

How to Get Full Custody of Your Child

Published

3 years ago

September 16, 2022

If you’re going through a divorce and there are children involved, custody is almost certainly one of the most pressing issues of the proceeding. And if you want full custody, it’s important that you go into it with a plan.

Common Types of Custody Agreements

When it comes to custody, the final order will address both physical custody (which parent the child lives with) and legal custody (who has the right to make decisions about the child’s upbringing, including issues related to medical treatment, schooling, finances, etc.).

There’s no standard custody arrangement. Every family dynamic is unique and circumstances change from one divorce to the next. With that being said, most custody orders end up looking like one of the following:

One parent gets sole legal custody and sole physical custody
One parent gets sole physical custody and both parents share legal custody
Both parents get physical custody and legal custody (joint custody)
One parent gets sole legal custody with joint physical custody

Even within these types of custody agreements, there can be unique arrangements, caveats, rules, and restrictions. This is why it’s important for all parties to carefully review any proposed arrangement before signing anything.

3 Tips for Getting Full Custody

As you work through the different aspects of your divorce, here are several tips you can use to increase your chances of gaining full custody:

Understand How Custody Decisions are Made

If you’re interested in getting full custody – which is a big responsibility – you’ll have to prove that (a) you’re capable of having full custody of your children and giving them the best chance to thrive, and (b) your spouse is incapable of providing basic care and will be a detriment to their upbringing.

In other words, it’s not just about you. You can be the best parent in the world, but if your spouse is a pretty good parent, too, you’ll never get full custody.

When making custody decisions, the judge takes a big picture view and considers factors like:

The child’s age, sex, and health
Each parent’s health (physical and mental)
Each parent’s lifestyle and social factors
Each parent’s ability to provide for basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, medical)
Each parent’s established living pattern (school, home, etc.)
The existing emotional bond between each parent and child
The impact on the child’s status quo
The child’s preference (if old enough to express an opinion)

“Assuming that none of these factors favors one parent over the other, most courts tend to focus on which parent is likely to provide the child with a stable environment and better foster the child’s relationship with the other parent,” Nolo.com explains.

In a situation where both parents are fairly even (in terms of the factors listed above), it’s highly unlikely that full custody will be awarded. Assuming your spouse also wants custody, joint custody is the most likely outcome.

Hire an Attorney

Don’t try to handle your divorce on your own. If you’re serious about gaining full custody, you need an experienced attorney at the helm.

“There are many factors that a judge will consider in determining custody arrangements—and you probably haven’t thought of all of them,” attorney Rowdy G. Williams explains. “ An attorney who’s very experienced in child custody cases is essential to getting a custody agreement that’s favorable to you.”

Be open and transparent with your attorney about what your wishes are from the start. While they can’t do anything to change the facts or circumstances of your divorce, they can frame you in the best light to increase your chances of getting the custody agreement you desire.

Prove the Other Parent is Unfit

While it’s not fair or ethical to speak falsely about your spouse, you have to prove that the other parent is unfit to have custody. In order to do this, you’ll have to drag up their dirty laundry and make sure the judge knows who they really are. This is where it’s important to give your lawyer everything they need to know. Don’t hold anything back.

Putting it All Together

Nothing matters more in a divorce than the health and well-being of your children. You and your spouse will eventually move on and make new lives for yourselves – possibly remarrying and enjoying more happiness than ever before. But your kids don’t get to move on so easily. A divorce impacts them for the rest of their lives. Make sure you’re prioritizing their well-being above all else.

Lifestyle

Why Classical Dance Is Thriving on Instagram

Published

6 days ago

April 28, 2025

Michelle Langton

For centuries, classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak have been treasured for their elegance, complexity, and storytelling prowess. But in recent years, these age-old traditions have found an unlikely stage: Instagram. From intricate mudras to rhythmic footwork, young dancers are captivating audiences worldwide, all in the span of a 60-second reel.

So, what’s fueling this revival of classical dance on a platform known for trends, filters, and viral challenges?

Instagram, with its visual-first format, has become an ideal space for artists to share their craft. Classical dance, rich in visual storytelling, translates beautifully into bite-sized performances that are accessible and engaging for modern audiences.

“Reels are short enough to grab attention but long enough to convey the essence of a classical piece,” says one of Spardha’s dance teachers, actively creating dance videos for the Instagram page of Spardha School of Music and Dance, an online platform for performing arts education. “You don’t need an elaborate stage or hours of performance; a simple backdrop and good lighting can bring your art to life.”

On Instagram, young dancers bring a fresh approach to traditional art. They skillfully blend classical compositions with trending audio tracks, often choreographing pieces that resonate with younger audiences.

These videos show how classical dance can be relevant in today’s world as young artists reinterpret popular songs in classical style. Such performances respect the tradition, make it accessible to a larger audience by making classical dance relatable.

Social media has also given classical dancers something they’ve never had before: a global audience. Platforms like Instagram allow Indian artists to reach audiences in the U.S., Europe, and beyond, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation.

And the feedback loop is immediate. Unlike traditional performances, which are confined to auditoriums and limited audiences, Instagram reels receive likes, comments, and shares in real time, creating a sense of community and encouraging more engagement.

The rise of online platforms for learning music and dance like Spardha School of Music and Dance has further fueled this trend. Spardha provides structured lessons in classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathak, and even Bollywood, making them accessible to young learners regardless of their location.

“Many of our students have taken what they’ve learned and showcased it online,” says a representative from Spardha. “It’s incredible to see them not just learn the art but also innovate and present it in ways that inspire others.”

By offering online classes, Spardha ensures that classical dance is no longer restricted to physical studios, enabling dancers to connect with their culture through dance no matter where they are in the world.

The success of classical dance on Instagram lies in its ability to blend heritage with modernity. The younger generation, armed with smartphones and a passion for preserving their roots, is making classical dance both aspirational and accessible.

Dance has always been about expression, and Instagram is just a new way of reaching people.