Child Custody Attorneys Helping Individuals Get the Right Results in Scottsdale
One of the most difficult decisions when going through a divorce or legal separation is how to divide the responsibilities and visitation of the children in the family. Separating from a spouse can already exact a huge toll on an individual, but one needs to remember that the children experience feelings of loss and struggle with the divorce as well. Settling the questions of child custody and child support as quickly as possible is not only helpful for the adults in the case but is in the children’s best interest as well. These questions will affect where they live and with which parents and has a huge impact on the child’s future. The best thing you can do for yourself and your children is to hire an attorney to help you settle these disputes fairly and as quickly as possible. The compassionate and capable child custody lawyers at The Sampair Group are ready to help you with your case, so give us a call at 623-777-3909.
What Options do I Have When it Comes to Child Custody?
Child custody and parenting plans are extremely important family law matters that can look different based on the needs of the individuals and families. The child custody orders that the court provides will affect the child’s relationship with their parents and depends on the home environment the parent can provide, among many other factors. The following are some ways parents can be awarded custody under Arizona law:
Sole Custody
Sole legal custody refers to one parent retaining all authority for making legal decisions for the child and all custodial rights. This is usually accompanied by sole physical custody, which involves the primary care responsibility for the children.
Alternating Custody
In an alternating custody arrangement, the child will travel back and forth between their mother and their father. The time spent in each home is usually specified by the court and may or may not be equal between the husband and wife.
Shared Custody
Shared custody indicates that, like in alternating custody, the children will spend time in both parents’ homes, traveling back and forth as necessary. The difference between shared and alternating custody is that in this scenario, both parents have legal decision-making authority at all times, even if they currently don’t reside with the children.
Bird’s Nest Custody
In this custodial arrangement, the divorcing couple shoulders the burden of having to move back and forth rather than the children. The children in this scenario stay in the house while their mother and father take turns residing with them.
Joint Legal Custody
Joint legal custody is a term for parents sharing the authority to make decisions about a child’s education, medical treatment, religious upbringing, and other important matters. Joint legal custody does not necessarily mean that the parents have joint physical custody. Physical custody and visitation may be divided equally or unequally, depending on the needs of the family. It is the opposite of sole legal custody, where only one parent has legal authority over the children.
Split Custody
Split custody refers to giving full legal responsibility to both parents but over different children. One parent would be the guardian of one or more children while their spouse retains legal decision-making authority over any other children.
Third-Party Custody
This form of custody means that the parents relinquish all legal obligations and authority over the children. A third party such as grandparents or even the State would then gain custody of the children.
Custody has profound implications on children’s mental and physical health and is a huge part of the divorce proceedings in Arizona. Many parents need help to resolve disagreements about child custody. Trusted divorce lawyers like those in The Sampair Group know how to get the right results for you and your children, so contact us right away to find out how we can help you.
What Child Custody Laws are there in Arizona?
Arizona law recognizes that questions of child custody are some of the most important decisions that are made by family courts, and the child’s best interests are always the number one priority. For example, under Arizona law, both parents have equal rights without regard to the gender of either parent. This helps families maintain strong relationships with mothers and fathers whenever possible. Also, during the divorce, the court legally cannot favor one parent over the other because of gender. Another important law to understand is that in Arizona, both husband and wife have parental rights, such as access to their children’s medical and educational records. A spouse needs to know that their ex must legally be allowed to exercise these rights, or they may answer to the law. With your relationship with your children as well as their well-being at stake, you don’t want to leave custody disputes up to chance. The Sampair Group can help. Get in touch with our talented divorce attorneys today to make sure your rights are protected and to help develop a parenting plan that works for you.
What are the Steps to Establish Child Custody in Arizona?
Among the legal issues that are seen in Arizona, child custody arrangements are some of the most important decisions that come up because of their lasting impact on the lives of families. When a couple is divorced in this state, the custody agreement is automatically part of the court decision-making process. Sometimes a mediator can help the parents with the legal decisions that must be made as to who will care for the children and who will provide financially for them, as well as whether child support payments will be necessary. Custody hearings play a role in answering questions such as what visitation rights each parent will have and how to handle visiting during holidays. In all of the custody agreements, the mother’s and father’s rights, as well as any domestic abuse, substance abuse, or other important factors, will be considered as well. Of course, the child’s desires can also be a part of the decisions as long as the child is old enough to express himself or herself. If your case is going before the court during your divorce, you need custody lawyers on your side to represent you and make sure you get the most beneficial results possible.
Is Hiring Child Custody Lawyers Worth it?
Going through a divorce or legal separation brings many questions and decisions that must be made. Some of the most important decisions a couple will have to determine are who will have physical custody of their minor children and if child support is necessary to provide for them. How these questions are answered will make a huge impact on the family’s future, deciding such things as how and where the children will live, what their religious upbringing will be, and how much the children will need to travel. With skilled family attorneys on your side, you can rest assured that your case will be handled with the utmost care. Call us today at 623-777-3909 to discuss your child custody needs with our legal team and get the results you deserve.