Divorce is not a pleasing event, especially if kids are involved. If you are in a similar situation, you should face the challenge of finding your child’s custody rights. Child custody proceedings are filled with emotional turbulence and legal complexities.
However, understanding your rights can make a huge difference in your life and for your children as well. In that case, some of the best family lawyers OKC will help you understand how child custody works. Because child custody laws are complex, you will need assistance from an expert child custody attorney.
Types of child custody
Typically, child custody refers to where your children will live following a divorce. Or, who can make future decisions for their children, legally. In both these scenarios, parents can share the responsibility. Sometimes, the court will decide on that and may assign one parent. For a clear understanding, consider hiring some of the best child custody lawyers OKC.
- Physical custody
In physical custody, your children have the right to live with you following a divorce. Both parents could share the right. This arrangement is called joint physical custody. However, the right could be granted to one parent. This arrangement is called sole physical custody.
- Legal custody
When it comes to making decisions about your child’s future, you need legal custody. In this case, it’s your right to decide how to raise your children. One parent or both parents could share legal custody.
Who will decide on the child’s custody?
Judges will add more to the agreements that parents make when settling child custody. When parents work together to achieve a proper child custody arrangement, the judge adopts the same into a court order. When parents work together, the outcomes benefit the families after a divorce or even a separation.
For parents who fail to reach a concrete arrangement for child custody, a judge will decide in this regard. The judge will decide based on pieces of evidence. These might include the results from independent investigations if the court had previously ordered. Hire a custody attorney OKC to make the process easy.
How do judges make decisions?
In most states, judges should consider specific circumstances when deciding what’s best for the child’s future. Although the factors vary from one state to another, some are common everywhere.
- The age of the child including the condition of their physical and mental health
- The physical and mental health of each parent
- Emotional bonding between the parents and their child
- The ability of each parent to meet the needs of their child including a stable environment
- Willingness of each parent to encourage the child to build healthy relationships with the other parent
- Any history of abuse on the child by the parents
How does a child custody attorney help your case?
The best custody lawyers OKC help you protect your parental rights while forging a solid plan to move forward as a family. The lawyer will provide you with the legal support that you need for your child custody case. Sometimes, grandparents may need to approach the family court to see their grandchildren. A reliable child custody attorney will help them with visitation rights as well.
Resources: https://www.earthmom.org/stillwater-ok-74074-united-states/legal/ball-morse-lowe-pllc-stillwater