Custody determines how much time the child spends with each parent. It also determines how the parents will make major decision regarding the health and wellbeing of the child. Custody can be joint or sole.
Residential Custody is where the child sleeps at night. Access is the amount of time the child spends with the non-residential parent if the custody arrangement is sole custody.
Legal custody addresses the major life decisions about the child such as non-emergency medical, religious upbringing and other major events affect the health and wellbeing of the child.
The court uses several factors to determine the best custody arrangement for the children.
Once the Court issues an Order, the custody can only be modified based on a material change of circumstances. Material change is something significant that affects the current custody arrangement. You cannot just change it yourself without the agreement of the other person. If the other person will not agree, you must request the Court formally change the Custody Order. Until the Court changes the Order, you must follow it.
In order to better show the court how the access between you and the other parent is working (or not), it is best to keep an access log. This log can be useful whether you have an order or are seeking one. Click on the button below to download a free access log with instructions.
To schedule a free no obligation consultation to discuss custody, click the link below.
Already have an custody agreement? Schedule a free no obligation review today by clicking the link below to schedule your appointment. Any advice given for a review will be based on only the information you provide, rather than a complete investigation of all issues. Such a review does not create an attorney-client relationship with the attorney reviewing the document.