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We know that your first priority is your children. Where will they live after you and your spouse separate? Who will make important decisions for them? Before you do anything else, you should meet with a lawyer specializing in family law to learn about what you need to know to make the best choices for you and your children during the separation process and afterwards. At Morgan and Phillips LLP, our Family Lawyers and Mediators are here to guide and help you and your family through your separation.
In family law, the term custody refers to the right and obligation to make important decisions for your child. To be clear, a child’s living arrangements, although often called custody, is now commonly referred to in family law as parenting or residency.
Custody establishes how parents will make important decisions about the care and upbringing of their children. The nature of these decisions fall roughly into four categories: education, extra-curricular expenses, health care and religious upbringing.
When parents share joint custody of their children, these decisions are made together. When one parent has sole custody, that parent is given the right to make these decisions on their own.
If parents aren’t able to agree on terms of custody or sole custody, a judge will make this based on the best interests of the children.
Parenting Plans usually include a schedule that sets out when the children will be with each parent, terms for sharing holidays and special events, and terms for how to resolve parenting disagreements if they arise in the future. We can help you to negotiate or mediate the terms of a Parenting Plan based on the best interests of your children and the needs of your family. Parenting Plans can be included as part of your Separation Agreement or prepared as a separate document.
It is important to know your options before deciding on the Parenting Plan that works best for you. The parenting arrangement you choose will affect your child support, spousal support and government benefits. As family law experts, we will review the facts and your options with you and provide the support you need to make the best choices for you and your family.
What ever the situation you are facing as a parent, Morgan and Phillips LLP will offer you the best legal advice and professional support to ensure fairness in child custody, access, and parenting disputes.
