In divorce proceedings, different child custody issues must be addressed. Resolving these issues can significantly influence the kids involved for years to come. Thus, divorcing parents must understand the implications of typical child custody proceedings. If are in the midst of a divorce, you can find out more about how courts handle custody cases by working with a skilled attorney.
Kinds of Child Custody
There are two kinds of child custody in Madison, Wisconsin. These custody arrangements are negotiated or litigated in divorce. Legal custody is a parent’s right to make major decisions for their children such as where they should attend church or school. Also, such determinations include medical care issues. Often, a court will let both parents make major life decisions.
In addition, physical placement is a kind of custody that determines where a child must live. This can be sole or joint custody. If a parent is granted sole custody of a child, the other parent may get visitation rights and legal custody rights.
How Custody is Decided
The decision about the kinds of child custody is centered on the child’s best interests. To resolve this concern, state law sets forth different factors such as the wishes of the child. But a court can rule against these wishes if they determine that such wishes are not in the child’s best interests. Other factors that the court considers include the wishes or preferences of both parents, the relationship of the child with every parent, and the willingness of both parents to cooperate. If the parents agree on how child custody must be handled, they can have this agreement in writing and send this to court. As long as the parenting plan is in the best interest of the child, the court may agree to it.
Child custody issues impact everyone in a family. They affect the daily lives of parents and children as well as the relationships of the family for years. Thus, child custody issues must be examined closely by a family law lawyer, and that parents must develop a workable parenting plan.
What are Parenting Plans?
Parenting plans are documents that a parent can set forth when seeking custody in court. They offer information on the child custody and placement arrangements this parent desires. They follow up with specific concerns like where the parent is living, where they plan to live, which school they want their kids to attend, what their work hours are, and other concerns. After a divorcing couple completes mediation, they must file a parenting plan within sixty days with the court.
