In the United States, divorce is a reality of life. Over 50% of marriages end in divorce and when one involves children of any age, the resulting change can have profound effects. Many times, this legal matter is highly emotional and often disputed. Both parents have worked hard to have a positive relationship with their children and the idea of sharing a child’s time is too much for some. It is crucial that these matters are handled quickly, efficiently, and with the guidance of a skilled legal professional. We understand that the healthy growth and development of a child relies heavily on quality time spent with each parent. If a child custody case goes to trial, you should have effective representation in order to protect your rights as a parent. Our committed attorneys will see your case through and guide you towards the best possible conclusion. Contact Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC for a consultation today.
Sole, physical, and legal custody explained
When inquiring about child custody, it is best to educate yourself on the different types of custody that will be addressed by a court. Physical custody is assigned to the parent that will have the child the majority of the time. This party is called the “custodial” parent and he or she is subject to parenting time rights of the noncustodial parent. In some cases, the parties can work together for the best interests of the child and split their time equally, this is commonly known as joint physical custody.
A more significant factor for parents is legal custody. Legal custody is the right of a parent or parents to make important decisions in a child’s life, including healthcare, academics, and general welfare. Even if a parent doesn’t have physical custody, they should fight for joint legal custody. Legal custody makes sure that the parent has the ability to be involved in the important decisions even if the child lives with the other parent more often.
Sole custody is rare. When one parent is unable to work with the other parent to make decisions in the best interests of the child, sole legal custody may be appropriate. In these cases, there are a variety of reasons to award the custodial parent sole legal custody. That said, the other parent may be entitled to appropriate parenting time with the child.
Mediation might be the best course of action
In some cases, people can work together to come to an agreement over the issue. The whole process of mediation must focus on the best interests of the child. Based on the relationship between the parents, the mediation process might be facing complex and sensitive matters. A mediator can help parents navigate these disputes and arrive at an effective parenting time arrangement.
Contact a compassionate firm to protect your family
The Sparta attorneys at Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC are available to assist you in your child custody matter. In some unfortunate situations, a child custody case can be disputed and dragged out in court battles. During these tough times, parents can often not see the impact the process has on the family. Our diligent attorneys are ready to fight your disputed case and see that you are able to arrive at the best conclusion. In more fortunate cases, parents can work together through mediation to come to a parenting agreement that limits the impact of the divorce on the whole family and allowing for an amicable conclusion. If you have questions regarding custody, parenting time or visitation, we encourage you to contact the Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC for a free consultation.
