A child custody lawyer in Phoenix AZ helps parents navigate the complicated process of creating a parenting agreement. Often times these agreements must be modified due to changing schedules, new jobs or the location of one parent’s home. An experienced lawyer can assist with these modifications while ensuring that the terms of the original custody agreement are not violated.
A court will consider all aspects of a couple’s relationship when deciding on the best custody arrangement for their children. They will look at the parents’ stability and ability to provide a safe environment for their kids. The courts may also look at the parents’ criminal history, whether they have a history of domestic violence and any other issues that could affect the health, safety and well-being of the children.
The goal of a family law judge is to promote consistency in custody arrangements. The courts will usually only consider a change to custody when there has been a significant change in circumstances. This means that the parents must prove to the court that the current custody arrangement is no longer in the best interest of their child or children. The court will then evaluate the change in circumstances, and if it is deemed to be in the best interests of the child or children, the judge will approve a new custody arrangement.
Physical Custody
The most common type of custody is called joint physical custody. This means that the children will live with each parent some of the time. The parents will make decisions regarding the child’s health care, schooling and religious training together. The child’s preferences will be considered as well, but they are not given much weight until they are of a suitable age to express their views.
Legal Custody
This is where the courts will decide which parent will have the rights to make decisions about their children’s health, education and religion. The judge will examine the parents’ stability and ability to care for the child, along with other factors such as any history of domestic violence or substance abuse. The judge will then determine which parent can provide the most stable and loving environment for the child.
Supervised Visitation
A judge may require supervised visits for a variety of reasons. These include concerns of drug or alcohol abuse, domestic violence, a history of child abuse and neglect, or if the visiting parent has a mental health issue that might impact their abilities to safely care for their children. The visits can be supervised by the visiting parent, a relative or someone else, such as a family counselor.
Contact a family law attorney who is familiar with the state laws of your jurisdiction and who can represent your rights and interests with confidence in court. A skilled family law attorney will be able to negotiate with the other party and protect your rights without becoming emotional or using the children as weapons. They will take the time to understand your situation and the unique circumstances that surround it.