Child Custody



Child custody refers to custodial awards or determinations involving a minor child. These determinations involve who has the right to make decisions about the child, or legal custody, including decisions about education, religion, medical issues, and discipline, as well as where the child will live, or physical custody. With "sole custody", you alone have legal and physical custody of your child. In a "joint custody" arrangement, you and your ex-spouse share legal and/or physical child custody. If you and your spouse cannot agree on a child custody arrangement, a court will likely make a child custody decision based on the "best interests of your child." Read on to learn more about child custody law, and to locate a child custody lawyer or child custody attorney. All child custody information is kept strictly confidential. Child custody law, child custody lawyer, and child custody attorney information provided by Lawyers.comsm.

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Child Custody Articles
State Specific Resources
-  Divorce, Child Custody and Support in Your State
-  State Domestic Relations and Family Codes Websites
 
Articles
General Overview
-  Child Custody Law-  Who Are Professional Child Custody Evaluators?
-  Types of Child Custody-  Factors Considered by a Child Custody Evaluator
-  Types of Custody-Joint Custody Checklist-  The Role of a Professional Child Custody Evaluator
-  Sharing Custody-  Report Preparation by a Child Custody Evaluator
-  Unmarried Parents Sharing Custody-  Your Rights As A Noncustodial Parent
-  Child Custody Myth: Favoring Mothers-  Third Parties' Rights to Custody of a Child
-  Child's Preference and Awarding Custody-  Divorce, Parenting and Information on Your Child
-  Child Custody Issues Involving the Military-  Same Sex Parenting
 
Negotiation and Mediation during Child Custody Disputes
-  Negotiating Child Custody-  Understanding the Child Custody Mediation Process
-  Common Issues during Child Custody Mediation-  Benefits of Child Custody Mediation
-  Creating a Child Custody Plan during Mediation
 
Child Custody: Visitation and Relocation
-  Relocation and Child Custody-  Relocating With Children After Divorce
-  Custodian's Relocation and Modifying Child Custody-  Visitation and Handling Transportation
-  Examples of Visitation Schedules-  Supervised Visitation & Child Custody
-  Grandparents' Visitation Rights-  Interference with Child Visitation Rights
 
Taxes and Child Custody
-  Child Tax Credits and Separation or Divorce-  Child Tax Exemptions, Deductions and Divorce
-  Divorce and Personal Exemptions for Children
 
Events Affecting Custody
-  Interference with Joint Child Custody-  Key Factors in Modifying Child Custody
-  Emergency Temporary Child Custody-  Permanent Child Custody Based on Temporary Custody
-  Regaining or Changing Custody-  Missing Children, Child Abduction & Child Custody
-  Safe-Haven Laws Help Protect Newborns-  Changing or Updating Temporary Child Custody
-  Failing to Pick Up Your Child after an Activity-  Safety Seat Laws
 
Hot Topics
-  International Custody Dispute-  Medication Disputes, Your Child and Custody Cases
-  Who's Watching the Babysitter?-  Safe Haven for Baby Dumping - The Nebraska Hiccup
 
Child Custody FAQs
-  Divorce: Enforcing Custody Rights FAQ-  Divorce: Child Custody FAQ
-  Divorce: Modifying Custody FAQ
 
Child Custody Forms and Video
Forms
-  Demand for Child Support Payment by State-  Child Visitation Letter by State
-  Day Care Contract by State
 
Lawyers.comsm Virtual Community
Legal Forums
-  Alimony-  Child Custody and Visitation
-  Emotional Support - Divorce-  General Divorce Law
-  General Family Law-  Non-Custodial Parents
-  FL Family Law/Divorce-  NY Family Law/Divorce
-  PA Family Law/Divorce-  CA Family Law/Divorce
-  TX Family Law/Divorce
 
Chats
-  Child Custody and Visitation Chat
 
Hiring a Family Law Lawyer
-  Family Law: Selecting a Good Lawyer-  Family Law: Meeting with a Lawyer
-  Family Law: Preparing to Meet with a Lawyer
 
Related Topics on Lawyers.comsm
-  Divorce
-  Child Support
-  Visitation Rights
-  Family Law
 

Ask a Lawyer - Family Law questions answered by leading lawyers
Can Dad Insist on Claiming the Tax Exemption?

My ex told me that he won't be able to carry medical insurance on our children unless he can claim them on his taxes.

I have soul-physical custody. In our decree, he must carry insurance on the children. Can he do this? We live in Minnesota.

Which Parent Can Take Exemption and Tax Credits for Children?

What determines which parent can claim our child as a tax dependency exemption and which tax credits does that extend to?

Also, what happens if I am supposed to be able to claim my child but think that the other parent is also going to claim him?

Is it Possible for a Same-Sex Couple to Adopt?

My same-sex partner and I are planning a family, and we would like a good friend to be the donor. As the "donor" our friend would want no rights or responsibility for the child. Could he sign over custody to me or could I adopt my partner's child?

I know that West Virginia does not currently permit same-sex marriages, but I'm not sure how this would affect our options.

How Do I Enforce a Divorce Decree?

My ex won't take my phone calls, my son hasn't been available for scheduled phone calls either. The court order said that we would be allotted visitation and scheduled phone calls, but at this time, I'm not getting either.

He is 13 and failing 80% of his classes, What can I do? Can I stop paying child support? Can I call the Department of Child Care Services?

How Much Parenting Time Will My Boyfriend Get with Our Son?

I have a 14 month old son with my boyfriend, and we may be breaking up. My boyfriend insists that he can take our son from me since our son has his last name.

Will my boyfriend get our son for a week at a time since he works out of state and is at work for a week and then home for a week?


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