The family court in Connecticut makes determinations about child custody arrangements based on what is in the best interest of the children. That includes maintaining a healthy relationship and regular contact with both parents, even if they are not living in the same home.
The court typically awards joint legal custody unless there is evidence that it could be detrimental to the children’s health or safety. To learn more, meet with our compassionate child custody attorneys to discuss the types of custody in New Haven.
The family court considers many factors to determine what is in the best interest of the children, as the priority is their safety, health, and overall welfare. According to Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-56, the courts consider factors such as each parent’s ability to meet the children’s needs, the relationship each parent shares with them, and, if age appropriate, the judge often considers the children’s preference for living arrangements.
They also take into account factors such as a history of domestic violence or abuse, and whether each of the parents is willing to encourage the other to share a good parental relationship with their children. A knowledgeable attorney can review the forms of child custody arrangements during a consultation in New Haven.
Connecticut statutes divide custody into two primary categories for parents in New Haven: legal and physical. The parents may share both, called joint custody, or the court may award sole custody to one of them if that is in the minor children’s best interests.
The first is legal custody, which is decision-making authority. It gives parents the responsibility and right to make major decisions about their children’s lives, such as the choice of education, religious upbringing, and medical care. The court requires parents to co-parent and have a parenting plan that outlines decision-making and dispute resolution processes.
Physical custody determines where the children reside and who is responsible for the children on a given day. As part of physical custody, parents will have to lay out a parenting time schedule that will be informed by whether they are equally sharing physical custody or one parent is maintaining primary physical custody.
The family courts prefer to grant both parents shared physical custody and for their children to spend substantial time with each of them. They divide the time as equally and practically as possible based on the distance between the parents’ homes. When one parent has primary physical custody, the other has the children according to a schedule, such as alternating weekends and holidays.
Sometimes, third-party custody is necessary if a parent is unwell or there are other issues, such as the environment is not in the children’s best interest. A third-party may be a grandparent or other guardian, and it is only reserved for times when parental custody is not possible.
Temporary legal or physical custody arrangements may be necessary in emergencies, such as abuse investigations or other problems in the home. It can also lead to permanent custody changes.
Close relationships and spending plenty of time with both parents are essential for growing children. Once termed visitation, most states across the country now use the term parenting time, underscoring the central purpose of encouraging close family relationships with both parents, even if one of them has primary physical custody.
Unless there are reasons against it, the non-custodial parent has regular access to their children. Laws encourage cooperation between both parents, with flexibility, mediation, and, if necessary, programs to learn and improve co-parenting skills. A skilled lawyer in New Haven can provide advice and information about different child custody arrangements.
The family courts promote strong relationships with both parents and base their decisions on what is in the best interest of your children. The statutes divide custody into two primary groups: legal and physical rights and responsibilities.
Knowing your rights is essential for protecting them. Contact us at Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, today to speak to our understanding family lawyers for more information about the types of custody in New Haven.
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