Who is the Custodial Parent After a Divorce?
When parents go through a divorce, they must settle different legal arrangements for their children as well as them. During this time, a custody agreement will be made. This can give parents physical and legal custody of their child. When a parent has physical custody, they are considered the child’s custodial parent.
Responsibilities of a Custodial Parent
Parents who are awarded physical custody of their child are the parent with whom the child lives and spends the majority of their time. This position in a child’s life comes with many important responsibilities. The most important job of a custodial parent is to make sure their child has a happy and healthy upbringing. This can be done by providing them basic stability through a home, food, clothes, an education, and more.
How are Custody Arrangements Made?
Divorce changes lives, especially those of children. This is why custody arrangements are handled with great care. There are some cases in which parents go to court to have a judge make custody decisions for them. When this happens, judges are required by law to rule in the best interest of the child. In order to do this, they consider several factors regarding the needs of the child and the family’s situation. This allows them to determine an environment that would be best for the child to prosper in.
What is Legal Custody?
Legal custody establishes the influence a parent has in their child’s life. When a parent has legal custody of their child, they are given the right to be involved in making important decisions throughout their upbringing. This can include matters such as education, healthcare, religion, and more. It is important to know that, even if a parent does not have physical custody, they can still be awarded legal custody.
Can Custody Arrangements Change?
Judges determine a custody arrangement based on a child’s current family situation. However, family situations can change over time. Sometimes, custody arrangements may no longer fit the family’s new life. It is because of this that courts allow for modifications to be made to these agreements. This allows a custody agreement to be adjusted to better suit the current needs of a family. For example, if a parent does not follow the custody arrangement, the other parent can petition the court for a modification.
Contact our Firm
If you or someone you know is seeking an experienced attorney for a divorce case, contact The Pollack Law Firm, P.C. today.
The Pollack Law Firm, P.C., rated Nassau County’s “BEST” divorce lawyers and proudly serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk County for more than 22 years, is always available to assist and represent parties in divorce, separation and all other matrimonial and family law matters. Call today to schedule your complimentary case analysis: (516) 938-3330.
