Obtaining full child custody in Guilford may be appropriate if serious safety or health concerns exist in the other parent’s living situation. When you are interested in pursuing full (sole) child custody, an attorney can review your case and determine whether this is an option. We can also prepare and file the necessary documents to help you achieve an outcome that is in the best interests of your children.
A seasoned child custody lawyer provides legal help to parents and families who need help with the child custody process. Experienced attorneys can help you understand your right to joint or full custody and negotiate a parenting plan with the other parent. Many people find it useful to have a seasoned child custody attorney assist them during legal proceedings so they can make informed decisions.
Connecticut law allows people to have joint or sole child custody. Custody encompasses two concepts: legal and physical. Legal custody determines who makes decisions about a child’s care, such as giving consent for medical procedures.
In contrast, physical custody generally refers to where the child stays. For example, the child might stay with one parent during the school year and another over the summer. With joint custody, each parent shares in the child’s upbringing, such as by sharing in the parental decision-making and physical upbringing of the child.
Sole custody may refer to when one parent has the child’s primary legal and physical custody. Sometimes, the court may award full custody to one parent and still allow the other parent visitation rights, but this is not always true. Awarding a parent sole child custody in Guilford may be necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of the children, such as if abuse occurred in the home.
Under Connecticut law, parents seek to divide legal and physical custody in a way that is fair and fosters a supportive environment for the children. When reviewing a parenting plan, the court focuses on whether it is in the children’s best interests. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-56, factors the court may consider to make this determination include:
For the court to decide that one parent should not share in any custody of the children, there might have to be evidence of violence, abuse, neglect, or other safety issues in the home. For example, when one parent has a dangerous addiction that creates an unstable living environment, the court may decide the other parent should have sole custody. In other cases of sole custody, the other parent might move or travel a lot due to work, which the court might view as creating an unstable living environment for the children.
Getting full custody of children in Guilford may not always mean the other parent is completely cut out of the decision-making responsibilities or no longer has any visitation rights. Instead, the court may limit the contact the other parent has with the child to the extent necessary to protect the child’s wellbeing while also fostering a healthy parent-child relationship.
Obtaining full child custody in Guilford can be complex and contentious because both parents want to be involved in the children’s lives to some extent. When you think full custody is appropriate to protect your child’s safety or wellbeing, it may be time to talk to a lawyer. They can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your case and persuade the judge to award you sole custody.
Our law firm understands the struggles parents go through during custody battles and is here to help. We can stand up for your rights in court and help you reach a fair custody agreement that protects your rights and your child’s best interests. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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