Deciding to seek full custody of your child may be overwhelming, especially if you feel the other parent has demonstrated they are unfit to raise them through reckless or erratic behavior. If you are considering obtaining full child custody in Hartford, retaining legal representation may be in the best interest of both you and your child.
A skilled attorney could help guide and support you through every step of this complicated process. Full custody cases often require detailed evidence and strict adherence to court procedures, but a legal representative could take care of the details while you focus on your family.
The benefit of sole legal custody for a parent is that they do not have to consult the other parent before making decisions for their child. They instead may choose where the child goes to school, whether the child needs medical procedures, the religion of the child, and such other major life decisions. A qualified attorney could provide a detailed explanation of what to expect upon gaining full custody.
However, even obtaining sole legal custody will not prohibit the other parent from having visitation with the child, unless the custodial parent can convince the judge that the child’s safety would be put at risk. In the scenario where one party has been awarded sole legal custody for practical reasons, such as the other parent is not readily available to partake in a lot of the decision-making for a child, the non-custodial parent will be awarded visitation, assuming they request the same from the court.
A parent seeking sole legal custody and primary physical custody will need to meet the high burden of convincing the court the other parent is unfit to parent the child. If both parents are capable individuals that reside within a reasonable distance, claims for sole legal custody will often be rejected. The court’s goal is to keep both parents in the child’s life unless there are circumstances in which one parent’s involvement would be contrary to the best interests of the child.
Therefore, if a parent is attempting to obtain full child custody in Hartford, they should provide any evidence that the other party is unfit to avoid having the court reject the sole custody claim.
Skilled attorneys know exactly what evidentiary procedures are necessary, when it is appropriate to involve third-party professionals, and how to utilize the rules of evidence to push for a favorable outcome.
Going through the child custody process may be stressful, but when it is in the best interest of the child to live solely with one parent, it may be worth retaining legal counsel before moving forward. A qualified attorney can help you take the necessary steps in effectively preparing your case and gathering evidence.
Call today to schedule a consultation and discuss your options moving forward. Compassionate lawyers understand what you are going through and could support you through the process.
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