When it comes to your children, custody decisions are paramount. Learn how courts determine custody and what factors matter most in protecting your parental rights.
Expert information to help you understand your rights and options
Child custody decisions determine where children live, who makes important decisions, and how parents share time. Courts prioritize the children best interests. Learn about custody types, how courts make decisions, and advocating for your parental rights.
Parenting plans detail custody schedules, holiday arrangements, communication protocols, and decision-making procedures. Well-drafted plans prevent future conflicts. Learn what parenting plans should include and creating arrangements that work for your family.
Joint custody arrangements give both parents significant roles in children lives through shared physical time, shared decision-making, or both. Most courts favor arrangements keeping both parents involved. Learn about joint custody options and making shared parenting work.
Legal custody covers decision-making authority for education, healthcare, and religion, while physical custody determines where children live. Parents may share both or have different arrangements. Understand the difference and how each affects your parenting role.
Sole custody grants one parent primary physical custody and/or decision-making authority, typically when joint custody is not appropriate due to safety concerns, distance, or parental unfitness. Learn when sole custody is awarded and how to pursue or defend against it.
Courts make custody decisions based on the child best interests—a standard that considers multiple factors including stability, parent relationships, child preferences, and each parent ability to co-parent. Understand what courts consider and how to present your case.
Custody orders can be modified when circumstances substantially change—new jobs, relocation, safety concerns, or changed needs. Courts require showing material change justifying modification. Learn about modifying custody, required showings, and the modification process.
Domestic violence significantly affects custody decisions—courts prioritize child safety and may restrict abusive parent access. Protective orders, supervised visitation, and custody limitations protect victims and children. Learn about custody in domestic violence cases and available protections.
Relocating with children after divorce requires court permission or other parent consent in most situations. Courts balance relocation benefits against maintaining the child relationship with both parents. Learn about relocation requirements, court considerations, and pursuing or opposing moves.