Monday, March 25, 2024

How To Keep Sole Custody Of Your Child

Getting Sole Custody In Ontario

How Do Fathers Get Custody of Their Child?

Sole custody gives you more decision-making power than joint or shared custody. However, you still have an underlying responsibility. You need to facilitate access and a relationship between your child and their other parent. This does not mean that you need to bend over backward to keep the other parent happy. At the very least you will need to do your best to follow whatever access schedule has been ordered or agreed to.

This includes not creating unnecessary arguments and stress:

  • constantly complaining about the other parent picking up or dropping off the child five minutes late
  • rescheduling access times without providing proper notice and a valid reason as to why the rescheduling needs to occur
  • signing the child up for events or activities that you know may be difficult for the other parent to attend

Do you have sole custody? This does not give you a license to dictate every aspect of the childs life without any input from the other parent. If the other parent can build a case to suggest that this is in fact what you are doing you will likely need to contact a ClearWay Law lawyer to prepare to defend yourself in family court.

People with custody issues normally have a lot of questions. A common question is regarding if they can move away with their children.

What To Do If You Agree

If you and the other parent have already come to a fair agreement on the custody and visitation issue, you may want to write your own stipulation and consent order. A stipulation is a statement describing the agreement that you have reached. A consent order is a draft for the judge to sign if the judge agrees to accept your agreement. This means that the court can enforce the agreement in the future.

If you choose to do this, you and the other parent should be as specific as you can to avoid future conflicts. You should ask yourself questions like these:

  • Who has legal custody?
  • Which holiday does the child spend with you?
  • What time and where may the other parent pick the child up?
  • What time should the child be returned home?
  • What is the procedure to follow if either of you are running late and won’t be there on time?
  • How much notice should you be given if they are planning a vacation?
  • How far away may the other spouse move?

What you might think you can figure out as you go along could become a bitter disagreement later. The stipulations should state everything that you have agreed upon. You should not rely on verbal promises. If you both agreed on it, write it down . Your agreement should be included with your Complaint for Custody, Complaint for Visitation or Complaint for Divorce.

What Does Sole Custody Mean For The Other Parent

For the parent that does not have custody, it means they cannot make major decisions for the child. The parent with custody can talk to the other parent about decisions if they want, but ultimately, it is up to the parent who has custody.

However, sole custody does not mean the other parent never sees the child. The other parent may still have placement or visitation with the child. Sole custody is not the same thing as termination of parental rights.

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Arguing Your Case At The Custody Hearing

  • 1Consider hiring a lawyer to help you. Custody battles can be long, complicated, contentious affairs. You will have to navigate relevant state law, prepare your case, and present it before a judge. Enlisting the help of an experienced family-law attorney can go a long way to helping you win your custody case, especially if the attorney has argued custody cases in front of the judge assigned to your case.XResearch source
  • If you do retain counsel, make sure to inform him or her of anything the other parent may be able to use to cast you in a negative light during the custody hearing. Giving your lawyer advance warning allows him or her to better prepare in order to mitigate any potential damage to your case.
  • 2Depose the other parent in advance. Before the custody hearing, you will engage in the process of discovery. This process allows you time to find out what the other parent plans to say at the hearing, either through his or her own testimony or that of a witness. During this process, you can question the other parent at a deposition, which is a legal proceeding that allows lawyers to ask questions of witnesses outside of court before the actual hearing. Your goal is to better prepare for the hearing, so try asking the following types of questions:
  • Do you believe that you are the best parent to have custody? If so, why?
  • Do you believe that I am a bad parent? If so, why?
  • Who do you intend to call as a witness?
  • Types Of Child Custody In Gainesville

    How to Keep Child Custody Exchanges Civil

    One of the biggest challenges families face when trying to formulate a child custody agreement is understanding the different types of agreements and which is best for your family.

    There are several types of custody agreements that may be appropriate based on the circumstances of your case. Florida does not specifically reference legal, physical, joint, or sole custody. Instead, they are referred to as parenting time and parental responsibility.

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    What Are My Chances Of Getting Sole Custody

    The chances of getting sole custody vary greatly and depend on the circumstances of your case.

    Most courts start with an assumption that children benefit from spending time with both parents. However, they know joint custody is not appropriate in every situation.

    If you and the other parent agree on sole custody, the judge will typically approve your agreement.

    If the other parent does not contest your request for sole custody, the lack of interest will typically compel a judge to award sole custody.

    If the other parent decides to fight for custody, you may face a long battle. Be prepared to show why sole custody would be in the child’s best interest and provide proof of any allegations you make.

    Hiring A Louisiana Family Law Lawyer

    Before you make any decisions regarding the future of your children, it might be best to consult with a legal expert. If you are seeking sole custody, there are certain reasons why a judge may not grant your petition.

    Therefore, it’s important to speak with a family law attorney prior to signing any type of custody agreement so that you understand your rights.

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    Factors Considered For Granting Full Custody

    Parents who want to win full custody should consider the following factors that may be determinative in a court of law:

    • Best interests of the child: The family court usually determines that it’s best for parents to share custody of a child. A parent looking to win full custody should be prepared to state clear reasons why joint custody would not serve the child’s best interests, such as if the other parent has issues with substance misuse or a history of leaving the child home alone for extended periods.
    • Courtroom demeanor: A judge may determine a parent’s fitness for full custody, in part, on the basis of the parent’s demeanor in court. For example, if a parent wants to win full custody, they should avoid interrupting the proceedings and attempt to maintain their composure and avoid angry outbursts.
    • Courtroom dress: During a custody battle, a court may consider the parent’s style of dress as a factor in determining whether the parent will win full custody. Parents should wear formal suits and avoid casual clothing.
    • Preparation: A judge will consider the level of preparation of a parent looking to win full custody. Preparation includes factors such as whether the parent has an attorney or whether they have concrete documentation to support their position for full custody.

    Child Custody Laws In Canada

    What are some Reasons one Parent would get Sole Custody?

    Canadian custody laws are comprised of both the federal Divorce Act andprovincial custody legislation. An order for custody must be made with the childs best interests as the paramount consideration in Canada.

    The court also has inherent parens patriae jurisdiction to make a custody order with respect to a child if, for example, a child is at risk of harm and the governing laws do not provide for that childs unique circumstances.

    In summary, one or more of the following Canadian custody laws may apply to you:

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    The Two Kinds Of Sole Custody

    If you are seeking sole custody of your child, it is important to know that there are two kinds of sole custody. The first is called sole physical custody. If you have sole physical custody, your child lives with you. You are responsible for the daily care of your child. The other parent may have visitation rights.

    The second is sole legal custody. If you have sole legal custody, you make all the decisions for your child by yourself.

    If you have sole custody, you usually have both physical and legal custody of your child. It is possible to have sole physical custody but share legal custody with the other parent. The child lives with you, but you and your spouse decide together how to raise your child. Learn more about why women win most custody battles.

    When Should You Seek Sole Legal Custody

    The health and wellbeing of your child is a top priority. Below we discuss scenarios where sole legal custody should be considered.

    Absence

    If your childs other parent is frequently absent from their life, the court may be likely to grant you sole legal custody. Communication between parent and child is essential for a successful relationship.

    Neglect

    Providing necessities to your child is essential to their health and wellbeing. Neglect can be defined as abandonment and/or failure to provide the child with basic needs such as medical and dental care, food, clothing, and housing. If there are signs your child is being neglected by their other parent, it may be grounds for you to file for sole legal custody.

    Substance Abuse

    A parent who abuses drugs or alcohol puts their child at risk. When a parent is frequently incapacitated due to abusing substances, they may be seen as unfit to take care of their child by the courts, as their actions put their childs health and wellbeing at risk.

    Mental Illness

    If one parent has a mental illness and that prevents them from providing proper care and making rational decisions for the child, the court may grant sole legal custody to the other parent.

    Relocation

    If one parent lives in a different state, country, or time zone, it may be difficult to keep steady communication and be able to assist in making decisions for their child. In this case, the parent that the child primarily resides with may be granted sole legal custody.

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    Creating A Sole Custody Visitation Schedule

    When one parent has sole physical custody of a child, the child will live with that parent the majority of the time.

    Even when a parent has sole custody, the other parent is usually awarded visitation time with the child. Only the most extreme offenders are prohibited from seeing their child. There typically needs to be substantial evidence of sexual or physical abuse in order for a parent to be denied access to his or her child.

    If you are unable to reach an agreement with the other parent, the judge will create the visitation schedule for you. You may want to consider providing the court with a proposed visitation schedule so the judge will have an alternative to consider. This may help you get a schedule created on your terms instead of a court ordered plan that may or may not be convenient for you and your child.

    If you are able to work out a sole custody visitation schedule with your ex, the judge will review it to ensure it meets the needs of your child. If it is in his or her best interests, it will be approved.

    Your visitation schedule should allow your child to spend time with the other parent on a regular basis. It should designate specific days and times the visitation will occur and the schedule should rotate or repeat in a manner that establishes a routine for the child.

    You will also need to create a holiday visitation schedule that will allow the child to spend time with the other parent on holidays and special occasions.

    What Does Custody Mean

    More Single Fathers Have Sole Custody of Their Children

    Custodymeans the legal ability and responsibility to make major decisions for achilds care and upbringing such as:

  • where they willlive
  • Children who have been in your legal custody and
  • Children for whom you were named a legal guardian.
  • If you havebeen a foster parent for a childrens aid society , it is notnecessary for you to list each of the children who have been placed with you.You can simply indicate that you are or were a foster parent and give the namesof the CAS or foster care agency you worked for. You may also include theapproximate dates when you were a foster parent.

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    Types Of Sole Custody

    When it comes to requesting sole custody of a child, there are two types, legal custody, and physical custody. When you are awarded legal custody of your child you have been given absolute and complete authority over any decisions affecting your childs life. These decisions can range from child care, religion, school, healthcare and more. Absent significant issues with one of the parents, courts are inclined to order shared legal custody they want both parents involved in major decision-making for the child whenever possible. When the court system awards sole physical custody of the child that simply means that the child will live primarily with one parent, and usually have visitation with the other.

    You may feel that you want to approach the courts and request sole legal custody of your child because you feel that your partner is an unfit parent. The way you feel about your partner and the way that the court system views them may actually be different. Most courts will not hesitate to give one parent sole legal custody if they deem that the other is unfit because of a drug addiction, alcohol dependency or has committed child neglect or abuse.

    Are There Other Reasons To Lose Custody Of A Child That We Have Not Discussed

    Yes. Clearly, no article will cover every situation. Our family law firm is very experienced in handling child custody cases.

    Sometimes, we have filed a request to take custody away from a parent who refuses to act consistent with the child’s best interest.

    Whether your case has a proper basis to make such a request is a fact specific question.

    You will likely not find answers to that question on the internet. You need experienced and knowledgeable legal representation.

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    Custody To A Third Party

    In some cases, neither biological parent is fit to care for the children. In those situations, Louisiana child custody laws also allow a third party to obtain custody. For example, if the children have been living in a stable and happy home with a relative or individual that has a close connection with the kids, a court may grant that person custody.

    What If A Parent Has Abandoned The Children

    Top Tips for Getting Sole Custody in Family Court

    Is that grounds for full custody in California?

    Abandonment is a serious allegation and there does need to be evidence in support of it. However, courts can make full custody orders against the parent who abandoned children.

    We most often see this in one of two situations.

    First, a situation where there has not been any custody order and one parent has been the sole caretaker of the children.

    The other parent has provided little to no financial support and little to no time has been invested with the children since separation.

    In such a scenario, when it has gone on long enough, the court has the discretion to order full custody to the parent who has been the caretaker.

    That is because there has been no bonding between the abandoning parent and the children and it clearly would not be in the children’s best interest to completely turn the status quo upside down and destroy what they have become accustomed to simply because the abandoning parent now suddenly wants to get back into the children’s lives.

    Does that mean the parent who abandoned the children is forever barred from re-entering the children’s lives? Of course not.

    However, in such situations, the court will want to see actual effort by the abandoning parent and genuine and proactive work into restoring the relationship with the children and increasing the parental bond.

    The second scenario happens when there is actually a court order in place but the abandoning parent does not follow it.

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    Types Of Child Custody In Canada:

    • Sole Custody If a parent has sole custody of a child, that parent is responsible for making all decisions affecting the child. The other parent is entitled to request and be provided with information relating to matters affecting thewellbeing of the child. This can include access to information from the childs doctor, dentist, and teachers.
    • Joint Custody If parents have joint custody of a child, they are both responsible for making decisions on behalf of that child. This is also known as joint legal custody. If there is disagreement on an issue, the parents may consider mediation or a parenting co-ordinator given the authority to decide the issue. Courts will normally only award this type of custody to parents who are able to cooperate on parenting matters. While parents may have joint custody, the residency / access arrangements for the children may vary widely.
    • This is when both parents have joint custody of the children, and both parents spend at least 40% of the time with their children. This is also known as joint physical custody.
    • Split Custody This is when one parent has custody of some of the children, and the other parent has custody of the remaining children. Courts try to never split up up younger children from their siblings. However, older siblings often choose to live with different parents.

    If your custody case goes to court, there are any number of relevant factors that a court can consider in making a custody determination.

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