CHILD CUSTODY

Your relationship with your children is important to you.  When parents divorce, it is important to learn about the child custody and visitation options that are available and the legal standards that apply.  The most complicated issues often come down to who will have custody and how visitation is organized.

Frazier Law will defend your parental rights, but also set up reasonable expectations as to the extent of those rights.

We start by asking questions the following questions:

• Who is spending the most time with the kids now?
• How parenting responsibilities are currently divided?
• Who has the best resources and time to provide the best environment?
• When are you in a position to devote the most time to your kids?

When the parents cannot agree, the court will make the custody arrangement for them after considering the totality of the circumstances, with the overriding consideration being the child's best interest. To make that determination, the court considers:

• The child's age;
• The child's gender;
• The child's physical and mental health;
• The parents' physical and mental health;
• The parents' lifestyles;
• Any history of abuse;
• The emotional bonds between the parent and the child;
• The parent's ability to give the child guidance;
• The parent's ability to provide the basic necessities, such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical care;
• The child's routines, including home, school, community, and religious;
• The willingness of the parent to encourage a healthy, on-going relationship between the child and the other parent; and
• If the child is above a certain age, the child's preference.

In many cases, custody is awarded to the parent who has been the child's primary caretaker. Although this is often the child's mother, any preference for the mother strictly on a gender basis is outmoded.

Frazier Law will help parents resolve their child custody legal issues, including establishing parenting time and a fair visitation schedule. We are considerate of our clients' objectives regarding joint custody, primary physical custody, residential custody, and third-party custody involving grandparents or other family members.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.