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Sharing legal or physical custody with another parent can be stressful. However, the benefit of shared physical custody is that the child sees both parents for an equal amount of time. In this arrangement, the parties have similar abilities to raise a child, spend time with them, and cultivate their parent-child relationship.

50-50 child custody in Stamford, and the taxes involved with that, are confusing elements to consider after an order. A knowledgeable child custody attorney can help you ensure the final custody order is best for you and your children.

Determining Child Custody Orders

Joint legal custody means the parties must consult one another about major decisions affecting a child. It does not mean parents split responsibilities exactly 50-50. The court defines the day-to-day responsibilities of caring for a child through physical custody orders. Various forms of child custody agreements exist, such as joint legal and shared physical custody, and it is also common for one party to have joint legal and primary physical custody.

A family court judge will issue a legal and physical custody order where a parent has filed a custody or divorce case. In the event there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the entry of the initial order, a parent can seek a modification that would better suit a child’s best interest. However, unless someone goes back to court to change it, an order will be enforceable until a modification occurs.

Many parents do not go to court to get a formal custody order as they have presumptive rights to their children under the law without needing one. If the parties agree, they can carry on without a custody order, but it is beneficial to have one when ex-partners cannot co-parent peacefully.

A court order sets forth expectations and mandates certain conduct and behaviors if there are constant disagreements over where a child should be or who should pay for certain things. If you are thinking about obtaining a custody order, a lawyer in Stamford can guide you through all the important considerations before you file.

Filing Taxes with 50-50 Shared Custody

With shared custody, the parties must agree on which of them claims the child for a specific tax year. Both parents cannot claim a child in the same calendar year, and they will typically alternate. Each party may claim an even number of children. However, if an odd number exists, the parties often alternate the last child each year.

A couple in the process of a divorce may have filed joint marital tax returns and shared them in the past. Once a court decides on a custody order, whether the parties were married or not, they still need to agree on which of them claims a child for tax purposes.

Filing taxes may work differently after a court orders 50-50 child custody in Stamford. There may be a way for the parties to determine the best tax benefit and have one person compensate the other, but it is more common that they will alternate the years they claim a child.

Call Us to Have a Stamford Attorney Explain 50-50 Child Custody and Taxes

Our legal team can advise on general rules or agreements to make co-parenting smooth and financially beneficial. A hardworking family attorney can also help modify a parenting plan when the current order is not working for you and your child.

You must be aware of the tax implications for 50-50 child custody in Stamford. Call a lawyer today to understand the effects of your custody order.

Connecticut Family Lawyer | CT Family Law | Dolan Family Attorneys N/a
1700 Bedford Street Suite 202 Stamford CT 06905 (203) 599-7498