These decisions are important because they directly impact visitation schedules and child support payment amounts.

Non-Custodial Parents Can Still Have Decision Making Rights

Custody of a child is not the same as responsibility for that child. Many parents believe that if they do not have physical custody of their child they no longer have rights to make decisions impacting their child's life. More often than not, this is untrue. Most of the time, regardless of custody arrangement, both parents continue to share responsibilities for making decisions affecting their child's health, education, and general well-being.

Uncontested vs. Contested Custody Issues

Sometimes parents agree on a custody arrangement without the court's help. In most cases, courts will enforce arrangements that both parents agree to. A judge may even order parents to participate in mediation (in which a neutral third person tries to help the parents reach a mutual agreement) in order to avoid having the court impose the final decision.

If parents cannot agree to a custody arrangement, the courts do make the final decision, with the goal of doing what is in the child's best interest. There is no clear formula for making that decision, but a court may look to factors like the child's age, the child's bonds with both parents, and the reasonableness of each parent in ensuring that the other parent maintains a healthy relationship with the child. Be aware that the court can consider a broad range of factors besides these three noted.

Modification of Child Custody Orders

After a custody agreement is reached, circumstances can change in a way that makes it necessary to modify custody. For example, one parent may move, or it may become clear that the primary custodial parent is participating in activities that are not healthy for the child, such as drug abuse. In such situations, the courts can change custody orders.

Legal Help In Resolving Child Custody Issues

Understanding how all of these issues are evaluated by the court can be overwhelming in the middle of an already emotionally challenging situation. Your unbundled provider attorney will advise you on how to arrive at a workable and fair custody arrangement. Your unbundled provider attorney is familiar with both the legal and emotional challenges parents face in custody issues and has worked through them before.

Your provider attorney is helpful in preparing you for what to expect in court when you cannot reach an agreement with the other parent, and helps explain to the court why the arrangement you propose is best for your child.

Custody issues can be challenging, and that is why your unbundled provider attorney is an important resource to help achieving the best possible outcome for you and your child.