How do I gain custody if I haven’t been the best parent in the past?

When embarking on a custody battle, you should also remember that it is never too late to become a good parent. Put more bluntly, if you can modify your less desirable behavior with respect to the child in positive ways or do additional things to make the grade, you should begin to implement those positive changes immediately. Recent, more extensive involvement with the child, for example, can help ameliorate a history of infrequent closeness.