Custody or in other words, decision making for the children. When custody is referred to, it means decision making for the children. The courts are generally moving away from using “custody” language and instead refer to who will be making the decisions for the children. There are several different types of arrangements for making major decisions in relation to the children. Joint custody or shared decision making occurs when both parents make the decisions relating to major decisions together including health, education, extracurricular activities, religion, culture, and general well being.
In certain circumstances, such as when the parents cannot agree to anything, one parent may make the decisions in relation to the children, this is often referred to as sole custody. In other circumstances a parallel custody arrangement occurs when one parent makes decisions about certain issues such as health and religion, and the other parent is responsible for making decisions about education and extracurricular activities.
Parents in a high conflict separation can put a lot of emphasis on who has custody of the children. An experienced family law lawyer can assist you in determining what type of decision making arrangement works best for you and your family.
When parents talk about custody of their children, they are typically referring to where the children will live. This is now legally referred to as parenting time. There are several different types of parenting arrangements relating to parenting time with the children. In some cases, one parent has primary care of the children, which means that the children live with that parent over 60% of the time and with the other parent less than 40% of the time. In other situations, parents enter into a shared parenting arrangement, which means that both parents have the children at least 40% of the time. When determining a parenting schedule, the best interests of the child are the paramount consideration. There are several factors that should be considered when determining what the best interests of the children are. An experienced family law lawyer can help determine a parenting schedule that is in accordance with the best interests of your children.
Relocation/mobility cases are some of the most litigated cases in family law. When one parent wants to move with the children and the other does not agree the issue often makes its way into a courtroom. Like other family law issues in dealing with parenting arrangements, the best interests of the child are always the paramount consideration in the determination of any relocation/mobility case. For married/divorced parties, the Divorce Act governs relocation/mobility cases. When the parents were not married, the Parenting and Support Act applies. Under both Act, there are certain notice requirements that a party must provide the other party if they intend to move. Further, each Act provides a list of factors that the court considered when determining whether a parent’s application to move will be permitted. If the parties do not consent to the move than either party may apply to the court to address the issue.
When one parent wants to relocate with the children it can be a highly emotional time as the other parent would likely have significantly less time with the children in many cases. If you have questions about relocating or preventing someone from moving away with the children, contact an experienced family law lawyer at Singleton & Associates to discuss your options.
