When parents go through the breakdown of their marriage, an important issue that arises is deciding how to share the responsibility for their children. Custody arrangements can impact everything from daily routines to major life decisions. Understanding the different types of custody in Stamford will help you make informed choices that protect your children’s stability and well-being.
The seasoned child custody attorneys at Dolan Divorce Lawyers handle complex custodial matters throughout Connecticut. The team is accessible and respectful of your concerns, time, and resources. Whether you are negotiating custody agreements or managing contested proceedings, Dolan Divorce Lawyers is here to advocate for your family’s future.
Legal custody refers to the authority to make important decisions about a child’s upbringing. This includes things such as education, medical care, and religious practices. Legal custody does not involve deciding where the child lives. Parents in Stamford can share this type of custody, commonly referred to as joint legal custody. However, if the court finds that shared decision-making is not in the child’s best interests, one parent may be granted sole legal custody.
Courts generally encourage joint legal custody when both parents can communicate effectively and put their children’s specific needs first. However, if one parent has a history of substance abuse, domestic violence, or chronic conflict, a judge may find that granting sole legal custody to the other parent better serves the child.
Physical custody concerns where the children will live. This type of custody also determines the schedule for spending time with each parent in Stamford. The parent with whom the children live most of the time is called the primary custodial parent, while the other parent has scheduled parenting time. Parenting time can be structured in many ways, including alternating weeks or more traditional arrangements where children spend weekdays with one parent and weekends with the other.
A parenting plan, which the court must approve, outlines these schedules. The plan can also address holiday arrangements, vacation time, and transportation responsibilities. In contested cases, the court will decide physical custody and parenting time based on what is in the children’s best interests. Courts will consider factors such as their relationship with each parent, stability, and school needs.
When a parent has sole custody, they hold both legal custody and physical custody rights. As a result, they make all major decisions for the children, and the children live primarily with them. This type of custody arrangement is less common in Stamford family courts, but can be necessary in situations where one parent is unable or unwilling to fulfill their responsibilities safely. Sole custody can be appropriate when the other parent poses a risk to the children’s well-being due to abuse, neglect, or ongoing instability.
Custody cases require a balance between legal strategy and sensitivity to your family’s needs. At Dolan Divorce Lawyers, we understand how these decisions will affect the lives of you and your children for years to come. From developing a parenting plan to advocating for an arrangement that supports your children’s best interests, our team of family lawyers is here to guide you through the process. Call us today to discuss the types of custody in Stamford and how we can help you protect your parental rights.
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