CHILD CUSTODY
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CHILD CUSTODY
When children are involved in a divorce case, the situation gets even more complicated than it otherwise would be. Having parents get divorced is hard on kids, so making arrangements that are least difficult for them should always be the first consideration. An experienced attorney like Ted Williams will advise you on what living arrangements can be pursued to please all parties involved.
While each case is unique, the below three options are the most common custody arrangements after a divorce.
• Standard Custody. In this case, one parent would have primary custody of the child while the other parent has visitation rights based on a predetermined schedule. Often this schedule includes alternating weekends, some holidays, and an extended period over the summer months.
• Joint Custody. In joint custody cases, the child will alternate between living with each parent for planned amounts of time. For example, the child may live with one parent for six months and then live with the other for six months. Usually the courts like to keep these time frames on the longer end so that the life of the child isn’t disrupted by frequently moving around.
Shared Custody. This arrangement can mean the child lives with one parent during the school year, and the other during the summer. There can also be specific arrangements made that work best for the child and the parents involved. Often, a blend of joint and shared custody arrangements can end up working out best.
Custody decisions often come down to which parent has demonstrated a more active role in the child’s life. If you have documentation that proves your care of the child on a regular basis, those papers can be valuable in court.
Working with an experienced custody attorney such as Ted Williams will greatly assist you in developing a custody plan that is suitable for both parents and child. We would love to speak with you today and provide a free consultation on your child custody situation.