Child Custody & Placement
Child custody is perhaps the most controversial element of any divorce proceeding as it decides how parents will raise their children. A child custody agreement, for better or worse, will help to determine a child’s emotional health and well-being for the rest of his or her life, especially in crucial developmental years.
Del Blocher Law takes this very seriously, so we prioritize the child’s emotional health in every child custody case. We know the deep emotional needs a family has and strive to provide creative solutions that can build something new and beneficial out of your current family situation.
The benefit of each child and the family as a whole is our primary focus in child custody cases. Our aim is to create an agreement that is good for all parties involved—for the children and both the parents. For example, often times, one parent has a more demanding work schedule, or by inclination or skill set one parent has developed better attachment of the child than the other parent. In these situations, Del Blocher Law helps find the strengths of each parent and best interest factors of the children and their current developmental stages.
Our firm recognizes that the ideal situation includes both parents. Whenever possible, we create equitable solutions that allow both parents to work cooperatively for the betterment of their child.
Custody falls into two main categories: Legal and Physical
Physical custody is simple, as it refers primarily to which parent the child will live. Physical custody also means this parent will be accountable to care for the child’s emotional, physical, and social needs directly (e.g. food, shelter, community involvement, school transportation). Physical custody can be split most easily when parents live near each other. Many times a parent will be interested in increasing parenting time or physical custody without increasing legal custody. We can assist in that process.
Legal custody refers to the right to make decisions in the upbringing of a child. This includes the child’s education, what religion the child is raised in, and non-emergency healthcare decisions. Most courts prefer parents to have joint legal custody, even when a child spends the majority of their time with one parent.
Types of Child Custody
Alternating
The parents alternate having sole physical and legal custody.
Shared
The parents share legal custody, but alternate physical custody.
Joint
Both parents have simultaneous physical and legal custody.
Sole
One parent alone has physical and legal custody.
Split
Parents each have full, sole custody over certain children in the marriage.
Del Blocher is an expert in many areas of child custody. If you have questions or are looking for legal counsel on any of the following items please contact Del Blocher Law today.