Although state laws vary in regard to child custody matters, overall the principles, practices and procedures largely are the same in all U.S. jurisdictions, according to the American Bar Association Section of Family Law. Custody laws serve to...
Separated parents--whether they are divorced or they never married--still have an obligation to raise their children together. Custody arrangements can be difficult to work out, but they are the best way to ensure that everyone's needs are met as...
If you are involved in child custody proceedings, you may have very strong feelings about your spouse's ability to raise your children, but the law dispassionately weighs each parent's rights and the best interests of the children. Before you...
Child custody is not a difficult concept to understand. Custody comes in two forms: legal and physical. Parents have both the right to raise a child, or legal custody, and the right to live with or visit a child, physical custody, as soon as they...
Restraining orders are a measure to protect people from being physically harmed, threatened, stalked or otherwise harassed by a specific person. You can file a restraining order in conjunction with divorce papers if you feel threatened by your...
In most circumstances, a legal father has the same rights as a mother. Nonetheless, attorney James Paul Criscione states that many fathers feel "cheated by the system when it comes to the issue of their children." Before you can begin to fight for...
Single fathers are an often-overlooked group in American society. Their numbers, however, continue to increase. According to the National Center for Fathering, the number of single dads in the U.S. has at least doubled since 1980, to about 1.6...
A variety of situations exist in which a parent faces the prospect of losing custody of a child. The primary consideration in determining whether a parent forfeits her right to custody is determining what must be done to protect the welfare,...
Whether you're in the process of a divorce or have already been divorced and want to change your child custody arrangement, it is in your best interests to be able to talk to your spouse calmly about your children. Both of you want what is best...
Obtaining custody of a non-biological child can be very simple or very complex, depending on the feelings of the individuals involved. In a standard second parent adoption with consent from the divorced biological parent, the process is easy and...
One of the most immediate concerns of a court in a case involving allegations of abuse or neglect of a child is finding a residential placement for that child, according to the American Bar Association Section of Family Law. In other words, the...
Legal separation is a process similar to divorce, in which you and your spouse make permanent decisions about the separation of your property and custody of your children. Simply moving out of the house does not create legal separation. Instead,...
Child custody issues can be contentious and difficult, especially when the court is asked to make a decision for couples who can't come to an agreement. Every state court that hears a divorce case involving children has the ability to enter...
Custody of your children becomes an issue during divorce, legal separation, annulment and similar types of proceedings. There are some minor procedural differences from state to state in regard to custody matters. However, the process for applying...
As a father facing a custody proceeding, you need to familiarize yourself with the different resources available to you. Understanding that you do not need to pursue or defend a custody case without professional assistance is a key initial step in...
Although custody laws differ from state to state, there are some similarities across all 50 states regarding basic issues of custody, according to Child Welfare Information Gateway. When the mother and father are unwed, fatherhood must be...
Despite minimal variations in the laws from one jurisdiction to another, child custody laws in all U.S. states possess common provisions pertaining to basic issues, according to the American Bar Association Section of Family Law. These laws...
Your legal rights as a father vary somewhat from state to state, but certain basic rights are consistent across the states, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway. Your rights as a father are conferred automatically if you are married...
A child custody case represents one of the most emotionally challenging and legally complex of all judicial proceedings, according to "Child Custody A to Z " by Guy J. White. Finding yourself on the verge of such a case, you certainly desire to...
According to the American Psychological Association, children who spend a significant amount of time with both parents are less likely to have behavioral or emotional problems. Review of 33 studies suggests that maintaining a loving relationship...
One of the preliminary matters facing you at the start of a divorce proceeding is obtaining temporary orders. For example, if you have children, you seek a temporary child custody order, according to "Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce" by Emily...
One of the most legally complex and emotionally challenging family law proceedings is a case involving child custody, according to Nolo. As father involved in a child custody dispute, you need to fully understand what different resources are...
While the language of American divorce laws is gender-neutral, the law directs courts to take into consideration the financial needs of the dependent spouse, frequently the wife, as well as marital misconduct of the husband in states that permit...
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of unmarried fathers in America is at an all-time high, with four out of 10 children born to unwed parents in 2007. Now more than ever, unmarried fathers need to know their...
What happens to your kids if you have to travel for a long time without them? If you appoint someone else guardian, does that mean you give up any of your parental rights? These can be common concerns for parents considering guardianships and...
The legal separation process involves unraveling the bonds of matrimony to the extent possible. Child custody can be one of the most emotional and contentious aspects of a legal separation. Ultimately, the court will take the responsibility of...
Divorce, legal separation and paternity are types of court cases in which child custody is an issue. But these are not the only types of cases that involve child custody issues. Abuse and neglect proceedings, also known as child in need of care...
If you and the other parent of your children reached an informal agreement regarding child custody, you may wonder what steps are necessary to make a child custody arrangement legal. Although some variations exist in the laws from one state to...
Unmarried fathers who break up with the mothers of their children may not be aware of what they need to do to ensure their ability to have continued contact with their children or to make child support payments every month. If an unmarried father...
