Child Custody Attorneys Helping Clients in Phoenix

In the case of a divorce, one of the most difficult questions is who will retain custody of the children involved when the marriage ends. The divorced couple must reach a decision after having gone through the difficult process of divorce, which already has likely caused emotional pain and even a financial burden. Adding in the questions of where children will live and who will have the responsibility to raise them and provide for them adds an additional level of stress. Many people aren’t aware that there are several ways of handling custody of children in Arizona, complicating the issue even further. The most important first step you can take in your custody case is to reach out to an experienced legal team to help guide you through this process and find solutions that work for your family. Because each family is different, you’ll want to meet with us for a initial consultation to discuss the best path for you in determining custody of your children. Call us today at 623-777-3909 to schedule your consultation.

What Are Some Possible Forms of Child Custody?

Custody arrangements can vary depending on the needs of the family going through a divorce, and since every family is different, it can be difficult to know how custody will look for you and your children. But the following are some possibilities for custody in the state of Arizona:

Alternating Custody

Alternating custody is a form of joint custody in which the children spend equal amounts of time with each parent. They will reside with one for a specified amount of time and then travel to the other parent’s home, alternating back and forth.

Bird’s Nest Custody

This alternative form of joint custody refers to the option of the children staying in the same home while the parents alternate living in the home. Some families appreciate the consistency for the children, but of course, this may complicate employment and other issues for the parents traveling.

Joint vs Sole Custody

The question of joint vs. sole custody applies to both physical custody—who the child lives with most of the time—and legal custody—who has the authority to make decisions about education, religion, medical treatment, and other important issues in the child’s life. Joint physical custody means that the child lives a roughly equal amount of time with each parent, and comes along with joint legal custody, most of the time. Sole physical custody means that the child spends most of the time living with one parent, while the other may or may not have visitation. It is common for parents to share legal custody even when only one of them has physical custody, though this is not always the case.

Split Custody

Split custody involves one parent taking full custody of one or more children while the other parent retains full-time custody of any other child or children.

Third-Party Custody

Third-party custody means that neither parent has custody of the children, and they will live full-time with a third party rather than with their biological parents.

Figuring out which type of custody is best for your family is obviously not easy, with so many options and alternatives. Don’t go through this difficult process alone. Reach out to our attorneys right away to begin discussing your child custody case with us.

What Are Arizona Laws Regarding Child Custody?

The state of Arizona has statutes that govern the way child custody is handled. For example, families going through a divorce should realize that by law, both parents have equal rights, duties, and obligations to fulfill towards children who are minors unless their parental rights are terminated. The court is required to determine the right form of custody for the children in the family and may not favor one parent based upon gender. Both parents also retain the right to access medical and educational records for their children, assuming they have joint legal custody. You don’t want to risk any mistakes, especially with so much at stake. Please let us help you through this process by getting in touch with us right away.

What is Involved in the Child Custody Process in Arizona?

In Arizona, when there are children involved in any petition for divorce, the courts automatically consider the issue of custody. You and your spouse may be able to reach a decision regarding parental rights on your own, but if not, a mediator may be needed to reach such decisions as parenting time, legal decision-making, child support, holiday schedules, and other custodial issues regarding the children. If a resolution cannot be reached with mediation, the court may enter a ruling, after reviewing evidence, that decides custody of the children. Our legal team is ready to listen to your needs and work with you to get the most beneficial results possible in your child custody case.

How Can Our Child Custody Lawyers Help You?

During a divorce, most couples find that the most important matter to resolve is how to handle custody of their children. The custody of your children determines such factors as their education, health, religious upbringing, how much they (or you) will need to travel, and their overall well-being. A determined and capable lawyer will help you navigate the child custody process and make sure that the greatest outcome is reached for everyone involved, especially the children. Please reach out right away to schedule a consultation with our caring legal team in order to provide the service your family needs and deserves. Contact our law firm today at 623-777-3909.