Navigating a divorce, particularly when children are involved, can be incredibly difficult. You may be feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and concerned about what life will be like for your children now that you and your spouse are no longer together. Establishing a comprehensive child custody arrangement can help ease some of those concerns and ensure that your child’s best interests are accounted for.
If you need to establish or modify a custody agreement, get the help of a skilled family law attorney who will advocate for you and your child. Attorney Scott A. Scholl has been providing compassionate legal counsel to individuals and families throughout Arkansas for over two decades. Set up a free consultation with Scholl Law Firm in Little Rock today to discuss your case.
In the state of Arkansas, child custody arrangements are determined based on the welfare and best interests of the child involved. Typically, there are two options when it comes to establishing a custody arrangement:
Once the method of establishing custody has been agreed upon, it is necessary to determine who will be awarded legal and physical custody of the child.
There are two types of custody that can be awarded in Arkansas: legal custody and physical custody.
Legal custody grants a parent the right to make important decisions on behalf of the child and about the child’s upbringing. For example, a parent with legal custody would be responsible for making decisions about the child’s education, religion, and health.
Physical custody refers to the daily care of the child. Typically, the child lives with the parent who has physical custody. That parent is then responsible for providing clothing, food, and a safe environment.
One parent may have sole ownership over one or both types of custody while the other may have visitation rights, or both parents may share custody. The court will take into account a variety of factors when determining a custody arrangement.
The goal of the court is to make an informed decision about the custody arrangement that will best serve the needs of the child. To do this, the court will consider many factors, including:
These are just a few of the important factors that the court will use when deciding how to divide parenting time between the two parties. When a custody arrangement has been established, it is not meant to be modified. However, circumstances can change, and sometimes, it is necessary to update a custody arrangement.
A child custody arrangement may be modified due to a major life event or material change of circumstances, but only if the proposed modification is in the best interest of the child. If, for example, you lose your job, you may no longer be able to provide for the child’s financial needs. If you have experienced a significant change of circumstances, seek legal guidance today to determine whether or not you are eligible for a child custody modification.
According to the United States Census, in 2015, there were more than 22.4 million children being raised by single parents across the country. Finding yourself a newly single parent can be overwhelming, but working with an attorney can take some of the weight off your shoulders.
From establishing custody arrangements to filing for divorce, Attorney Scott A. Scholl provides exceptional guidance on a variety of family law issues. Set up a free consultation with Scholl Law Firm today if you are located in Little Rock or Conway, Arkansas.
Establishing or modifying a child custody arrangement calls for the experience and skill of a trusted legal professional. With his commitment to honest and open communication and dedication to delivering results, Attorney Scott A. Scholl is an excellent partner for your child custody needs in Little Rock, AR. Call today for a free consultation.