Courts prefer that parents work together cooperatively to develop a parenting plan, and many states require mandatory mediation before parents are allowed to litigate child custody issues before a judge. When parents are unable to agree on their...
Child custody represents one of the most legally complex and emotionally challenging aspects of divorce, legal separation and paternity proceedings, according to the American Bar Association Section of Family Law. Statutes express a preference for...
Child custody cases are often contentious and difficult for everyone involved, even if the parents agree about all the issues. The stakes are huge, because you are deciding the future of your relationship with your child. You probably will make a...
Child custody battles are a rarity, no matter what you see in movies or on TV. According to the American Bar Association, 95 percent of divorcing spouses come to an agreement on child custody, child support and visitation before coming to court.
Factors which contribute to the development of depression include both personal predispositions and precipitating factors. As one of the major forms of stress in life, divorce can be a precipitating event which increases the risk of developing...
Obtaining custody of your child in a divorce, legal separation or paternity case requires the use of specific strategies designed to best assure your ultimate success. Although the circumstances of every child custody case varies, there are some...
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 laws are established by each state and govern any case where the custody of a minor child is in question. Courts use the Best Interests Test when determining child custody matters, meaning they enter custody orders that meet the...
If you previously lost custody of your child or children, you likely wonder what steps are necessary to win back that right. Before you embark on the legal process to try and regain custody of your children, there are several important tips to...
Legal separation is a process similar to divorce. As in full divorce, it may not be necessary to have a lawyer, but having professional legal advice can help protect your rights if there is a dispute about any aspect of the process. In legal...
Winning a child custody battle requires using certain strategies and following appropriate steps. A child custody proceeding is not something you undertake and pursue blindly and without a specific road map. Success in a child custody battle also...
As a father, if you desire to obtain custody of your child, you must follow both court procedures and meet statutory requirements pursuant to the family laws in force in all states, according to the American Bar Association Section of Family Law....
Locate a trained mediator to host a discussion on child custody during divorce. The yellow pages have an entire section on mediators for family law matters. Contact them and schedule a meeting with the other parent. In preparation for the...
Despite some minor variations, the laws pertaining to custody procedures and proceedings largely are the same from one state to another. These statutes govern the process for establishing custody in the first instance as well as the procedures...
Although the legal "rights" of children involved in a divorce action may be limited---because children have few legal rights---most states afford children a philosophical "bill of rights" intended to guide the parents. Most states have copied and...
Facing decisions relating to the custody of your child in a divorce, legal separation or paternity case requires the consideration of a number of tips and strategies. Ultimately, what works in one custody case does not necessarily fit well in...
Despite your best intentions when filing for divorce, a case that started off as uncontested can become emotionally contentious and legally contested in no time at all. You need to prepare yourself for such a possibility by understanding what...
Divorce is one of the most common legal proceeding in the United States. In fact, in 2008 alone, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1,065,775 people were divorced in the United States, with only 44 states reporting...
Family laws in all jurisdictions in the United States contain provisions designed to guide parents in developing voluntary child custody agreements, according to the American Bar Association Section of Family Law. These laws allow parents...
Child custody issues and disputes are some of the most emotional and legally complex elements of certain divorce proceedings. By employing certain strategies and following specific tips, you can place yourself in a better position to protect your...
When parents choose to separate, they must decide who will retain custody of any children they have in common. Historically, sole custody has been given most often to a child's mother, with fathers having only visitation rights. Because of a...
Divorce settlements are financial and custodial agreements between a married couple. These settlements determine how assets and child custody are divided and are critical to the divorce process. These settlements are often mediated by lawyers and...