Child Custody For Mothers--What You Should Know

Child custody rights are awarded by a divorce court to any family member or potential guardian that the court determines can provide for the ‘bests interests’ of the child. This can be a parent, step-parent, grandparent, or another legal gaurdian as prescribed by the judge presiding over a divorce case. Custody rights may be shared between both parents, or primary rights can be granted to a single guardian.

In days past, it was very common for family courts to award child custody for mothers rather than fathers. This is largely due to a gender stereotype that women have a greater inclination, more time, and a greater capacity for developing healthy relationships with their children than men. Now, courts will examine the fitness of each parent or potential guardian in careful detail to determine which parent will be most able to provide resources and foster a healthy relationship with the child. 

While the courts no longer have a legal precedence to give custody to the mother of the child, there is still a prevalent stereotype that women are better suited to the responsibilities of the primary guardian. In seventy percent of cases, rights were awarded primarily to the child’s mother. Comapre this to ten percent of custody cases which are awarded to the father, and twenty percent that are awarded joint custody status.

A judge examines a plethora of different factors when determining which parent is best suited to provide for the child. This includes the mental and physical health of each parent, as well as their lifestyle habits. The profitability and flexibility of one of the parent’s job might also sway the court’s decisions because it means the parent is better able to provide monetary resources as well as time.

While divorce is stressful for everybody, the strain is often the hardest on children. One of the best things you can do, if you and your former spouse are on good terms, is to cooperate with each and be honest about your ability to give the child the best possible environment to develop into a mentally and physically healthy young adult. 

Click here to get more information on how you can retain custody of your children. Contact the legal professionals at KoonsFuller Family Law for an initial consultation.

Working With Your Family Law Attorney--7 Communication Tips

Hiring and working with a family law attorney can be confusing and stressful. By educating yourself and communicating effectively with your legal representative, you improve your chances of effectively navigating any legal obstacle. Here are seven tips for better communication.

1. Agree on the Fee: One of the biggest sources of confusion and stress when working with an attorney occurs when the client receives their bill. Never sign a fee agreement until you understand it completely.

2. Communicate Expectations: Any attorney worth his weight will be more than willing to keep you updated regarding his progress on a case. Ask your lawyer about what systems and processes he has in place to keep clients updated.

3. Deadlines and Client Expectations: Make sure you understand what the attorney needs from you in order to handle your case in the way that will be most beneficial to you and your family. An experience lawyer will have handled many similar cases before and can tell you what to expect in order to be better prepared.

4. Understand the Length of the Litigation Process: Some cases can take a few days to resolve. Others, may take years or may in fact never be resolved. In any case, your attorney should have a rough estimate of how long the process will take.

5. Ask to Be Educated: Lawyers often handle so many cases they forget that, while they know what to expect, their client may not. Ask your lawyer to give you a cliff notes’ version of what will happen in the litigation process regarding your case.

6. Communication Preferences: Be sure to exchange information and preferences regarding when you should be contacted with status updates, and how to best get in touch with your lawyer for an expedient response.

7. Be Reachable: Finally, always let your attorney know of any travel plans you may have, and how to get in contact with you while you are away. 

For detailed information on family law services, click here for an initial consultation with KoonsFuller Family Law Practice