Divorce and Child Custody

When a family breaks up as a result of divorce cases, it is not just the husband and wife who get affected; this is especially true when there are children involved in the marriage. In most cases, one parent will be granted child custody while the other parent is normally granted secondary custody but with reasonable visitation rights. Reasonable visitation rights in this case will be pegged upon the prevailing circumstances with both parties. When it is agreed that both parties are equally good parents, the average visitation schedule can allow visitations for every other weekend, overnight weeknights or dinners in addition to rotating summer vacations and holidays. There are different child custody arrangements that can be worked out and in some cases the parties must not always let the court create the schedule. Rotating custody: While this is not common, your child custody lawyer can ask for this option if you and your spouse live within five to ten miles of each other. In such a scenario one parent is allowed to keep the children for a period of say seven days while the other parent is given a similar amount of time. Even though it may seem like rotating custody could make things simpler, both parents will need to be in constant communication; they will need to update each other regarding the children’s school work and activities and after school activities in addition to making sure that homework is done at both parents’ homes. rnSupervised visitation: Divorce court may order supervised visitation when it is deemed that the secondary parent could be a danger to the child. Courts sometimes order supervised visitation when there are any reasons to believe that one parent, especially the one getting supervised visitation can easily lave the state or country with the minor without consulting the other parent. In child custody cases where supervised visitation is ordered, there must always be another parent during that said visitation. Pick-Up Orders: If one parent in a child custody case leaves the jurisdiction of the court with a minor or decides to hide the whereabouts of the child, the other parent can have their child custody attorney ask the court for a pick up order; the court will send the police to take back the child. Courts will almost always give pick-up orders in cases where there is an emergency; the accused person may not have to present to provide the side of the story. rnIt really doesn’t matter what type of child custody agreement is granted during child custody cases; these situations are normally difficult for the children who are involved. As a parent, you should never discuss the divorce proceedings with a child or do anything in trying to influence them against their other parent.