Could Smoking Cigarettes Affect My Child Custody Case?

A: As with all other aspects of child custody cases, judges make decisions regarding custody based solely on the best interests of the children involved. With that in mind, the presence of secondhand smoke in the home could be a factor in the decision. In the past, a smoking parent has faced the loss of child custody, restricted visitation rights, or smoking restrictions related to child custody or child visitation. If you do smoke, be sure to set rules for yourself in order to minimize secondhand smoke exposure, such as only smoking outside, only smoking in one room of your home, and never smoking in the car with your children. Even better, try to give up the habit of smoking altogether for the health of your family. Do you fear that your smoking could affect your child custody case in Washington? Talk to a Seattle family law attorney today.