4 Things You Need to Know About Child Custody

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Child custody is a legal concept that can bring feelings of uncertainty and distress, but cooperation is the best possible course of action when dealing with this concept. At the Law Offices of Ronald Kossack in Tempe, Arizona, our lawyers for family court can help you navigate custody court and provide advice on how to approach the concept of child custody. Trust our expertise to make this process as smooth and painless as possible, as our custody lawyers can help you navigate everything from courtroom proceedings to negotiations. When it comes to child custody, there are a few important things you need to keep in mind through all the complex family dynamics, and our lawyers for family court can help you better understand this legal area.

Several Factors Contribute To The Custody Agreement

No matter what situation requires the presence of child custody agreements — most notably, divorce — it’s important to know that several factors are considered before a judge makes a final decision. Our custody lawyers at Law Offices of Ronald Kossack can help you as a parent navigate this process, which includes going through all the different factors that can work either for or against you. In child custody court, essentially decisions are made on where a child will live and under which parent’s primary care, and a few things can be taken into account when making a final ruling, such as:

  • The age of the child in question
  • Each parent’s living & financial situations
  • The level of cooperation between each parent
  • Each parent’s current relationship with the child
  • The child’s own preferences
  • And more.

If the child involved in the custody court proceedings is still quite young, it’s possible for a Tempe, AZ judge to grant the mother legal custody due to the fast that she may still be nursing; however, if the child is over the age of 12, a judge may ask him/her for their own preferences. It’s also natural for judges in custody court, and even lawyers for family court, to consider what the life of the child will look like with each parent, especially based on their living situation, income level, criminal history, and more. Our Law Offices of Ronald Kossack can give you the counsel you need to determine what your unique case may look like.

There Are Four Different Types Of Custody Agreements

When you consult lawyers for family court or custody lawyers, you may encounter discussions based on the different types of child custody, which are as follows:

  • Legal
  • Physical
  • Sole
  • Joint/Shared

In custody court, in a parent is granted legal custody, that means he/she has the right to make decisions regarding the child’s education, health care, religion, upbringing, and more; the important caveat to know with this situation is that the non-custodial parents does not need to be consulted in these decisions. Physical custody, however, has to do with where the child physically lives — the child lives with the custodial parents, while the non-custodial parents are given visitation rights. Our lawyers for family court know this can be complicated, and can help you understand the differences between these two concepts. Contact the Law Offices of Ronald Kossack in Pempe, AZ to learn more about which situation may be best for you!

Several Situations May Require Child Custody Decisions

While child custody is a common concept to tackle when a couple files for divorce, this type of legal negotiation can apply for unmarried couples and non-parental situations. If an unmarried couple is in child custody court, a judge or lawyer for family court may require both parents to acknowledge the father’s paternity — either voluntarily or through a DNA test. It’s also possible for our custody lawyers at the Law Offices of Ronald Kossack to encounter situations where a non-parental figure (i.e. a family relative) may want custody, especially if they’ve been primary caregivers and are concerned for the child’s well-being. No matter the situation, we can provide comprehensive legal advice!

It’s All About The Child’s Best Interests

All things considered, the purpose of child custody court proceedings is to determine the best possible course of action so the child (or children) in question can have a good life. Even if all the above factors work in your favor, and you’re interested in becoming the custodial parent, it’s important to contact our experts at the Law Offices of Ronald Kossack. Consulting local, Tempe, AZ custody lawyers who can give you advice and help with negotiations can illustrate to a judge your seriousness for caring for the child.
Contact the Law Offices of Ronald Kossack for all your child custody questions by filling out our online forum or calling us directly.

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