Creating a child custody agreement is one of the most challenging parts of a divorce. It can be hard to make decisions in the best interests of parents and their children, especially when emotions and tensions run high.
It’s essential to consult with a child custody attorney in Ocean Springs, MS, to ensure that everyone involved is protected and that the child’s best interests remain at the forefront of any decision-making. With their guidance, you can get the favorable outcome you desire.
Below are some factors that must be considered when creating a child custody agreement.
The Best Interests of The Child
When deciding who will have custody of a child, it is essential to consider the child’s best interests. You want your child to be happy with the custody arrangement. This is why you have to consider what is best for them.
Some factors that help determine what is best for the child include:
- The emotional and physical well-being of both parents
- Financial stability of each parent
- Where each parent currently lives
- Any special needs or other unique circumstances the child has
- The willingness and ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs
- Age and gender of the child
A child custody attorney in Ocean Springs, MS, can provide you with guidance during this process. This legal advice will help you avoid mistakes while creating a child custody agreement.
Who Will Have Physical Custody of The Child?
Physical custody is about deciding who the child will live with. This could be one parent (called sole custody) or both parents at different times (joint custody). Thinking about what works best for the child is vital when making this decision.
For instance, joint custody may not be a practical option if one parent lives far away. If both parents live close, joint custody could work as the child would still get to spend time with them.
It is important to consider the emotional and physical well-being of the child when deciding who gets physical custody. The parent with physical custody will provide day-to-day care for the child. Therefore, it is important that this parent can provide a safe and secure environment for them.
Visitation Rights
If one parent is granted sole physical custody, the other parent will be awarded visitation rights. Visitation rights give the non-custodial parent time to spend with their child. A child custody attorney in Ocean Springs, MS, can help establish a visitation schedule that works for both parents and the child.
A traditional visitation schedule typically includes the following:
- Alternating weekends with the non-custodial parent.
- Visitation rights for one or both parents on holidays and school vacations.
- Limited weekday visits with the non-custodial parent, such as dinner-time visits.
- Overnight visits with the non-custodial parent.
- Supervised visits with the non-custodial parent, if necessary.
Remembering that a visitation schedule should be flexible enough to accommodate changes in the parents’ schedules and the child’s needs is essential. It should also be enforceable so it can be modified if needed.
Need a Child Custody Attorney in Ocean Springs, MS?
Are you struggling to create a custody agreement with your ex-spouse? If so, its time to hire a child custody attorney in Ocean Springs, MS!