Different Types of Custody Rulings

The custody agreement is often one of the most emotionally charged (and in some cases highly contested) aspects of divorce. If both parents wish to remain actively involved in the children's lives, they probably feel very strongly about the decision the court makes. However, the court will care very little about the parents' strong opinions - as the court's primary goal is to find the arrangement that best provides for the interests of the children. This week, our divorce lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to look at some of the different types of custody arrangements the court may use.

Physical Custody

 Physical custody is the most commonly thought of portion of a custody arrangement. When a parent is granted physical custody of the children, the children live with him/her for at least part of the time. If a parent receives sole physical custody, the children will likely spend a majority of their time with him/her and may have limited or supervised visits with the other parent. If parents are awarded joint physical custody, each parent will likely have frequent times of unsupervised time with the children. 
Legal Custody

 Legal custody refers to a parent's right to make decisions about the children's upbringing, such as:
  • What school the children will attend
  • What religious beliefs the children will be taught
  • What type of medical care the children will receive

Legal custody may be awarded to one parent only, or both parents may share the responsibility. If the court delivers a shared legal custody order, both parents will have to work together to decide how their children will be raised. If one parent makes it difficult or impossible to work together, the other parent may seek to be awarded sole legal custody instead.

If physical custody is shared, legal custody may be shared also. However, every case is slightly different and the circumstances surrounding each situation must be evaluated to determine what will serve the best interests of the children.

Forming Custody Orders

As we stated earlier, the court will try to find the custody arrangement that will best provide for the children's needs. The court may choose between various different custody agreements, such as:
  • Sole physical and sole legal custody 
  • Sole physical and joint legal custody
  • Joint physical and joint legal custody
  • Joint physical and sole legal custody
Arrangements awarding sole physical custody to one parent may or may not include visitation rights for the other parent.

Fighting For Custody Of Your Child

If you are facing a custody battle, there are a number of different things you should (and should not) do to improve your chances of receiving a favorable custody arrangement. Our Lake of the Ozarks divorce attorneys can work with you to improve your chances of receiving a desirable situation. If you would like to learn more about fighting for custody of your child, call 573-346-7231 to schedule your consultation with our law firm in Camdenton, MO.
Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising. When you need a knowledgeable attorney, we invite you to contact us to set up a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available. We have access to interpreters.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

85 Court Circle N.W., P.O. Box 559
Camdenton, MO 65020   GET A MAP
(573) 346-7231 - Telephone
(888) 236-2485 - Toll Free
(573) 346-4411 - Fax


Like Us on Facebook
Location: Camdenton, MO 65020, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Reasons To Hire A Criminal Defense Attorney

Image
Criminal charges can turn your life upside down. If you are found guilty, you can suffer numerous consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and effect on your permanent record. If you are facing criminal charges, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney can make a world of difference. Consider these reason why you should hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent your case. 1. Your Attorney Understands The Law It's no secret that the legal field is complex. Every law has exceptions, and every circumstance has different specific requirements. You need a criminal defense attorney that has experience dealing with these minute details and can help you use them to build a solid case. 2. Your Attorney Knows The Scene The Missouri Courts are like a world of their own. Each court has its own set of rules, social norms, and strict guidelines governing what behavior is and is not acceptable. If this is your first court case, you can not possibly know all of these unspo
Read more

Legal Tips to Be Aware of When Entering Into a Marriage

Image
Congratulations! It is 2019 and this is the year you are getting married. Among all of the wedding planning, you probably haven't had time to think about the legal side of getting married. While it is not the most glamorous side, it is worth taking a look into. For example, has your fiance brought up the notion of signing a prenuptial agreement (prenup)? It is best to know what all comes with a prenuptial agreement and the advantages and disadvantages of choosing to sign one. Our attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you a few legal tips to be aware of when entering into a marriage. If you find yourself need a prenuptial agreement drawn up, call Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch   today for your free consultation at 573-346-7231. Legal Tips to Be Aware of When Entering Into a Marriage Do You Plan to Legally Change Your Name After You Get Married? If you plan to change your legal name after marriage, here is what you need to do. According to the Misso
Read more

Global Entrepreneurship Week: 5 Tips For Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Image
We live in a business-oriented society. From buying groceries to traveling internationally, we rely heavily on local, national, and international businesses for many a spect s of our lives. We have become so accustomed to using these businesses in our day-to-day lives that we now take many of them for granted. No matter how big a corporation is, it's important to realize that every business started out small at some point in time. Every business - even those with thousands of employees - originally began simply as an idea in the mind of one forward-thinking individual. Global Entrepreneurship Week USA We owe entrepreneurs a great debt of gratitude for the roles they have played in shaping our society, our culture, and our nation. Next week (November 14-20, 2016) is designated as Global Entrepreneurship Week USA in recognition of the importance of these forward-thinking individuals. In honor of this important week-long observance, our business attorneys in Camdenton MO
Read more