Can I Lose Custody of My Children If I Have a Messy Home?

I had a phone call with a prospective client who stated that her ex-husband is threatening to take custody of their four children because her house is messy. This woman is a single mother, she works two jobs, and has four children. Of course, no one can expect the house to be tidy at all times with four kids and two jobs. What I explained to her is that no, you cannot lose custody of your children just because you have a messy house. That being said, in serious cases a messy house can evolve into a non-safe environment for your children. While reasonably messy is acceptable, an unsafe environment is not.

A few major issues that would constitute an unsafe environment include:

  • Absence of running water
  • Absence of electricity
  • Absence of heat or reasonable air conditioning
  • Threats of danger such as broken windows, shards of glass, etc.
  • And more common sense hazards that could put a child’s health or safety at risk

Family courts are predominantly interested in your home being overall a safe environment for your children. Therefore, a reasonably messy home in and of itself does not equate to you losing custody of your children.

If you have questions regarding child custody, or another other Family Law topics, do not hesitate to contact our office to speak with our experienced Family Law attorney. To schedule a consultation, contact our office at (702) 998-1188, info@ljlawlv.com, or by scheduling a consultation online.

For additional resources on Child Custody, Divorce, and a variety of other Family Law topics, be sure to check out our Family Law blog, podcast, and Family Law TV playlist on Youtube.

 

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