The process of child custody, child support, visitation rights, and the variety of laws that dictate what parents may and may not do can be confusing for anyone. Parents may hope that their split up is relatively stress-free and easy on the children, this is not always the case. This includes when one of the parents has lied about a career in order to move the children away from the other parent. If you or someone you know is experiencing this situation, it is important to understand the rights of parents in the state of Arizona and what can be done when a parent lies to gain more control over children.
Child Custody Laws
As with many states throughout the country, how custody plays out is determined by the needs of the child before anything else. While this may seem straightforward in some situations, a court determining what is best for a child can become muddled in the blink of an eye. These problems can be exacerbated even further if one of the ex-spouses lies in order to bypass the laws that have been designed to maintain a relatively consistent life for the child. This includes keeping the children in a consistent home unless one of the parents needs to move due to a career change. If a parent has lied about a career change in order to move the children, there may be the need for immediate mediation or a hearing before a judge.
Mediation and Family Court
The goal of this entire process is to protect the child’s best interests and this can often be carried out with custody mediation. During mediation, the parents and their legal representatives will sit down outside of a court room in order to come up with an amicable solution. If one of the parents has done something contrary to custody laws such as lying about their employment, they may attempt to simply settle without going to family court. If both sides do not come up with a solution, a hearing before a judge may be necessary.
No one should ever attempt to go before a judge without an experienced legal representative by their side. These situations can become incredibly complex and emotional and one of our attorneys can help you prepare for what you will see in court and take every step necessary to protect your child’s well-being and your rights as a parent.
To speak with a lawyer today about visitation arrangements, contact us online or by calling 480-345-2652.