Thursday, March 29, 2018

Factors that Impact Child's Custody Resolution

A custody dispute is often a difficult time for everyone involved. Typically, both parents want to have some sort of custody of the child. It can turn ugly pretty quickly. It's best to keep your top priority in mind when going through a divorce that involves children - the happiness of your child. As your experienced divorce lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, we know this is a very trying time. Knowing the factors that can impact the resolution of your custody dispute can help you through the process. Take a look below and learn about the various situations that can impact custody resolution when filing for divorce.


Child's Relationship with Parent

An important factor in a child custody dispute is the child's relationship with each parent. If one parent has been more involved with a child in a divorce, that parent may more easily gain custody. It's important to be involved in your child's life, especially through a difficult time - like the divorce of his or her parents. Even if it may be awkward for the parents, try to stay as involved as possible with your child during this process. Being there for your child is really what is important!

Child's Preference

If your child is of a certain age, their preference may be a factor in the judge's decision for custody resolution. Your child may be more comfortable living with one parent over the other and this is an important factor. It's vital to your custody resolution that your child has a say if they are old enough to make such a decision.

Mental and Physical Health of Parent

Each parent may be evaluated for mental and physical health. This may help show which parent can provide a healthy environment for the child. If one parent has a drug history or alcohol addiction, they may not be the best fit for the child's care. Your number one goal during a custody dispute should be to provide a positive environment for your child, should they come to live with you.

Employment Obligations of Parent

If one parent is out of town for business frequently, this may not be the best fit for the child involved. It's important for the parent who receives custody to be able to provide a stable home environment which involved being present for your kid.

Living Accommodations for Child

Each parent's home may be evaluated for living condition. It's important to have a safe place for your child to live. Try to find a home that is clean and provides a positive space in which your child can thrive. This can greatly improve your chances of receiving custody of your child during the divorce process.

Parent's Wishes

The wishes of the parents may be taken into consideration during the process. If an agreement of joint custody can be resolved, the courts typically want both parents to be involved in the child's life. As long as both parents can provide a positive and safe environment for their child, a joint custody resolution is usually the right fit.

Types of Custody Resolutions:

Legal Custody - A parent who has legal custody are able to make legal decisions on matters impacting the child.

Physical Custody - The parent who the child physically lives with.

Sole Custody - One parent has both physical and legal custody of the child. The other parent may have visitation rights but does not have any custodial rights.

Joint Custody - Both parents share physical and legal custody, therefore making decisions about the child together.

Now that you've hopefully learned more about the custody resolution options, you are ready to find an experienced attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks. Our law firm in Lake Ozark, MO can help you through the entire divorce process - custody dispute included. If you anticipate going through a divorce in the near future, give Gibbons Law Firm a call. We can help you get started and work on presenting your side for custody resolution. Your first consultation with us is always free!

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.




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Gibbons Law Firm
2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 348-2211

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