A parent’s most precious relationship is the one they have with their children. Preserving those relationships may be foremost in your mind if you are separating from or divorcing your spouse or are an unmarried parent living separately from your co-parent.
The laws governing parental rights and obligations in Southbury are complex. Our seasoned child custody attorneys can explain them, help you formulate goals, and advocate for your desired outcome in any legal dispute regarding your children. Call today for more information.
Legal parents in Southbury have custody rights and obligations, which include the right to make decisions for their children, provide a home for them, and raise them. However, these rights are not absolute.
Custody rights extend only to legal parents. When a father is not married to his child’s mother, the father is not the child’s legal parent until he and the mother sign an Acknowledgement of Parentage. A court can order a genetic test if one or both parents fail to sign the document. If the test indicates a man is a child’s father, the court will issue a declaration of paternity.
Legal parents’ custody rights are subject to the best interests of the child. A Connecticut family court judge has the power to restrict a parent’s legal right to have contact with and make decisions for the child when limitations serve the child’s best interests. A family law attorney can explain how the best interests standard might apply in your specific legal dispute.
Parents must meet their children’s basic needs regardless of the relationship they have with them. The obligation to pay child support applies even when a parent has no custody rights.
Connecticut uses a formula to calculate the child support obligation. The formula considers each parent’s income and the number of children they support. It incorporates adjustments for items like health insurance, work-related childcare, and a child’s extraordinary educational expenses.
The parents must complete the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet and submit it to the court. It is wise to work with a family law attorney when completing the worksheet to ensure accuracy and that all the necessary supporting documents are provided.
Whenever parents have a legal dispute that impacts children, Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-56 requires judges to decide the dispute based on the child’s best interests. The law lists numerous factors a judge can consider when determining a child’s best interest. It allows the judge to evaluate any other information they think is relevant to their decision.
As responsible adults in Southbury, parents have the right and obligation to act in their children’s best interests. They must prioritize their children’s health, emotional development, and well-being above their own needs and desires.
When emotions run high, it can be challenging for even the most devoted parent to distinguish their best interests from their children’s. Working with an experienced lawyer who can help a parent set realistic expectations and custody goals that align with their children’s well-being is critical.
Knowing your parental rights and obligations in Southbury is essential if you are involved in a legal dispute concerning your children. The attorneys at our firm can help you navigate these issues.
We have experience in a full range of family law issues. Schedule a meeting to find out how we can help you with custody, paternity, or other matters concerning your children.
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