When parents are divorcing, one of the last things on their minds will be custody and child support. Yet, these two important issues are an essential part of a child’s life and should not be overlooked. The court will attempt to keep a balance between the children’s needs and the noncustodial parent’s wants, so it is important that parents work out a fair custody and child support agreement.
Custody is defined as having authority or control over a child’s welfare. Without this power, the custodial parent may be prohibited from making certain decisions for the child, such as medical or educational decisions. Custodial parents may also be ordered to pay child support if they refuse to do so. Both joint and sole custody and shared custody can be awarded by a judge, but the ultimate decision is made by the judge based on the best interests of the child in question. Looking More visit Online Gaming.
In a shared custody situation, both parents have equal legal rights and responsibilities. In a sole custody situation, the child has one primary caretaker, i.e., the mother. The decision of who gets custody is based on what is in the best interest of the child. If the court feels that one parent is unfit, the court can order a temporary custody arrangement. If both parents can work together, they can make a permanent arrangement.
In a joint custody situation, when one parent has primary custody, the child has frequent contact with both parents. Joint custody decisions are often seen as benefiting the child in a number of ways, including less stress and less separation anxiety. The parents can even help to shape the child’s educational future. Children who have frequent contact with both parents can be assured of regular visits, physical education classes and adequate socialization with other children in the neighborhood. A parent who is awarded sole custody can decide which religious groups to allow visitation with, as well as what recreational activities to include for the child.
A major benefit of joint custody is that it helps the parents to bond with their child. When both parents actively participate in the child’s life, the child is better able to develop a sense of responsibility and maturity. When one of the parents is incarcerated, the child’s access to the other parent is severely limited, but in joint custody situations, the parents remain involved in the child’s life and are able to maintain a meaningful relationship with the child. This facilitates more appropriate behavior and interaction with the child.
Custody arrangements also affect the child physically, emotionally, and socially. When one of the parents is incarcerated, there are a range of additional concerns about health, safety, and well-being that can arise. When parents work together on a child’s custody agreement, they are more likely to reach an agreement that benefits both parties and is in the best interest of the child. Joint custody offers a great opportunity to see what life is like without the other parent. It can also provide a means for seeing if a child can live with one parent.