How Substance Abuse Impacts Your Chances at Custody

Parties to custody suits involving substance abuse must carefully tend to the needs and safety of their children. Findings of significant substance abuse can lead to visitation restrictions, mandatory testing regimes, and potentially total loss of possession and access. Experienced family law attorneys will be familiar with the intricacies of various testing protocols. For example, judge-ordered urine tests may fail to detect chronic abuse, while hair or nail tests can document results for a preceding period of up to six months. Blood-alcohol tests are unable to detect prior usage. Thankfully, technological advancements have enabled courts to monitor custodial parents’ ongoing compliance with alcohol-related orders. Judges may order affected parties to use a portable breathalyzer to submit digital compliance reports proceeding and during periods of possession. Failed tests can inform both temporary possession scheduled and final custody orders.

If substance abuse is at issue in your child custody case, contact experienced family law attorney to discuss ways in which you can promote the safety and wellbeing of your children.