Parents beginning their lives apart must decide how much time they will spend with their children. These negotiations can be intense and emotional. One of the many benefits of a Southbury visitation lawyer is keeping the parties focused on the practical side of parental timesharing.
Our firm’s experienced visitation attorneys have substantial experience helping parents create custody arrangements that work for all family members. Contact Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, today to learn more.
Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-56 governs custody and visitation decisions. The law directs that all decisions must be in the best interests of the children. It presumes that a custody and visitation arrangement that allows both parents consistent and meaningful participation in their children’s lives serves the children’s best interests.
Some parents’ work schedules and living arrangements allow them to share time with their children roughly equally. However, a shared physical custody arrangement is not practical for many parents. In that case, one parent will have primary physical custody of the children, and the other will spend as much time with them as possible.
Another benefit of a Southbury lawyer is that they can explain the factors a judge considers when deciding whether a custody and visitation arrangement serves the children’s best interests. They can help a couple set reasonable expectations about timesharing and anticipate common problems when implementing a co-parenting arrangement.
The law requires parents to submit a parental responsibility plan, usually called a parenting plan, to the judge for approval. Ideally, parents work together to create a joint plan. When parents do not agree, each submits their preferred plan, and the judge will either choose one or impose a different arrangement.
Working through disagreements to negotiate a joint parenting plan is the best strategy for everyone, especially the children. Mediation is often helpful in keeping conversations productive and focused. When the parents reach a consensus on a parenting plan, a Southbury visitation attorney can review the arrangement and formalize it in writing as a proposed order to submit to the court.
In some cases, a Connecticut court will limit a parent’s visitation with children. This step may be taken when a co-parent can prove that the other parent poses a risk to the children’s physical or emotional well-being.
The threat may be related to a parent misusing drugs or alcohol, having a history of child abuse or domestic violence, or not having a safe home environment. A parent seeking to limit the other parent’s contact with the children must present credible evidence of a threat. A lawyer can advise a parent whether they have adequate proof to demonstrate that their co-parent should have limited access to the children.
Courts rarely prevent parents from spending time with their children, but they may refuse to allow overnight visits. When there are concerns about a parent’s behavior or the children’s safety, courts commonly order supervised visitation, which requires another responsible adult to be present during the parent’s time with the children.
Making effective, practical co-parenting arrangements requires parents to cooperate with each other and focus on what is realistic. Many couples find the process extremely challenging.
The benefits of a Southbury visitation lawyer include a firm grasp of the law, an understanding of how judges evaluate parenting plans, and the ability to work for the best interests of the children while meeting your custody goals. Reach out today for guidance and advice on visitation issues in Connecticut.
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