Essay On Child Custody Law

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Recommended: Custodynamics in child custody cases

Child custody laws vary according to jurisdiction, but most states and provinces follow a basic set of concepts designed to be fair and equitable and protect the interests of the children.

If you're a party in a child custody action, understanding child custody laws and their application is important to ensuring a favorable outcome for you and your child. You may have retained counsel in your child custody action, but a basic understanding of the law will make you an informed participant in the proceedings and help you ensure your attorney is acting with due diligence.

The intent of child custody law is to reach a decision in "the best interests of the child." A child custody decision in "the best interests of the child" demands consideration of the wishes of the parents, the child, as well as the child's relationship with each parent, their brothers and sisters, and other influential persons. Other factors considered are, the child's home …show more content…

Physical custody means that a parent has the right to have a child live with him or her. Many states' laws prefer to award joint physical custody to both parents, allowing children to spend equal amounts of time with each parent.

In law, legal custody refers to the right to make decisions about a child's upbringing, which includes decisions about the child's education, religion and medical care. Parents with legal custody of their children also receive any tax benefits awarded to parents by state and federal government.

The current trend in child custody law is a preference by courts to award joint custody to parents, based on the reasoning that having access to both parents is in a child's best interest. In most applications of child custody law, joint custody means that each parent shares equally in the decision making process and tax benefits are also equitably

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