Going up against a former spouse in a divorce case means appearance and demeanor will make an impression on the judge. A concerned parent will want this to be a positive impression. The worst thing a parent can do in a Pennsylvania child custody case is assume that victory is in the bag.
If a parent is fighting for custody, he or she wants to exude confidence and capability. If the judge thinks a parent is not taking the proceedings seriously or doesn’t have the children’s best interests in mind, he or she might lose the case. This is why clothing choices are important.
Courtroom attire tips for a child custody case
The following list shows several dos and don’ts to keep in mind when choosing attire for child custody proceedings:
- Do minimize accessories — one or two items, max.
- Do wear clothing that fits well — not too tight and not too baggy.
- Do choose neutral tones, such as navy blue, black, gray or beige.
- Females should make sure skirts or dresses are to the knee or longer in length.
- Males will want a button-down, collared, long-sleeved shirt is best, with a tie suitcoat if possible.
- Do not wear clothing with images or words on it.
- Do not wear clothes that are ripped or shredded.
- Do not wear sneakers — opt for dress shoes with a low heel.
- Avoid blue jeans — a pair of dress slacks is better.
The overall style should be business casual.
The goal is to win the court’s favor, not get kicked out of the courtroom
Wearing a ball cap or crop top or clothing with profane words on it may compel the judge to order a parent out of the courtroom. Along with the exit goes any chance of winning the child custody case. Remember that the goal is to convince the court that the children are better off in with one parent over the other. Choose clothing wisely.