During a divorce settlement, joint custody, or shared legal custody, makes it possible for both parents to share the physical custody and legal custody of their child or children. A child custody attorney in Wilkes-Barre, PA is often needed, as these arrangements can prove difficult to negotiate. In order to facilitate a joint custody arrangement, both parents must cooperate fully. They both must be amenable to the idea of sharing in child-rearing responsibilities.
How Judges Make Decisions for Custody
Courts consider the environment at home when deciding if an arrangement for custody is in a child’s best interest. Therefore, the personal life of a parent may influence a judge’s decision if it could be emotionally or physically harmful to a child.
That is why a child custody attorney is always someone good to have on your side while you are undergoing a divorce settlement. You can find out more about the process by contacting such legal professionals as John T. O’Malley, Attorney At Law. By doing so, you can gain a clearer perspective about the various forms of custody, and how they will impact the future relationship with your child.
Don’t Move Without Contacting Your Attorney
A parent who has sole custody of a child, for instance, cannot move to another state if it will disrupt the rights of the non-custodial parent. Moving without first obtaining court approval can jeopardize the custody rights of the parent.
Most states favor, awarding custody to a parent than to an individual who is not a parent. Therefore, if a custodial parent dies, a non-custodial parent does have the right to apply for custodial rights. Needless to say, divorce cases that involve the awarding of custody are often complex and emotionally stressful. That is why you need to discuss your situation with a child custody attorney who is well-versed in this area of family law.
