Child Custody
Transcript: Visitation He owed over $1 million in child support payments. He traveled abroad to avoid making payments. He stopped paying after two years and two children with two different women. He was forced to cover more than $900,000 in payments. Joint custody: The parents share physical and legal custody of the child. The courts favor a joint custody agreement. The court deems it to be in the best interest of the child. Sole custody: If a child will be in harm, the court will grant sole custody to one parent. Even if sole custody is granted, visitation will still be allowed. If the court feels that granting custody to one parent is not in the best interest of the child, the court will grant custody to a third party. (Aunt, grandparent, sibling) At 18, a court can no longer make orders about the child's custody and visitation A custody case can either go through court or mediation To change a visitation order, you have to go through court. A court will change it if they see it being best for the child. A parent, either mother or father, will have to pay child support. The parent that pays child support is the one who does have the child he majority of the time. Deciding Factors Best interest of the child Child's wishes (if child is over 12) Which parent has been the primary caretaker Work schedules of both parents Mental and physical health of both parents Parenting skills of both parents Child's relationship with parents, siblings, and extended family History of domestic violence Each parent's ability to create a relationship with the other parent If a parent is allowed to have visitation with their child, the court can order different kinds of visitation to that parent. Supervised visitation- the court will chose someone to supervise the visits between the child and the parent, if the court decides the child will be in danger if left alone with that parent. Therapeutic Supervised Visitation- A mental health professional will supervise the visits to try and improve the bond between the parent and the child. Neutral place of exchange- a safe environment where one parent can drop of the child for visits with the other parent. (Library, Police station) Monitored transition- a third party is present when a parent drops off the child to the other parent, to ensure calmness and safety of the child. Child Custody A man who fled the United States to avoid child support payments was labeled the country's most wanted deatbeat. Joint Custody vs. Sole Custody News Story A 2-year term for a Father Who Avoided Support Additional Custody Factors