Child Custody In Arizona

Posted by Julio Arrant on October 14, 2011 under Family Law | Be the First to Comment

If you are responsible for the care of a child, and going through a separation or a divorce, you are probably concerned with child custody. In Arizona, there are several key terms about which you need to know.

Sometimes parents decide to continue make most of the decisions together. If thi

s is the case, they will want to file for joint legal custody of a child. This means that when it comes to make major decisions, such as curfews, school choices or medical decisions, the two parents will make these choices together. There is also joint physical custody, which means that both parents will equally divide their actual physical time with the child.

In some cases, parents decide to share both legal and physical custody. Often, however, they decide that it is best for a child to remain physically with one parent more than another. Sometimes parents decide that a situation where a child spends the school week with one parent and the weekends with the other provides better stability.

In other cases, a parent might obtain sole custody of a child. This means that parent has full legal custody and the right to make decisions regarding the child. It typically also means that the parent has physical custody, but it does not mean that the other parent will not be granted visitation. Unless, the child would be in danger, the parent without sole custody will be granted visitation.

The parent without sole custody will generally not need to be consulted regarding larger decisions, but there are laws in place that protect this non-custodial parent’s rights regarding the child. For example, the sole custodial parent is not allowed to move 100 or more miles away or out of state without permission of either the non-custodial parent or the court. If the child is in danger, the court can allow the move. Also, if a parent makes a large financial decision regarding the child, such as enrolling the child in private school without the knowledge or consent of the other parent, that non-custodial parent will not be required to cover tuition costs.

In general, most couples opt for joint legal custody as it gives both parents the opportunity to make the big decisions regarding the child together. Obviously, there will be many day-to-day issues that spring up that will be decided by one parent, but with joint legal custody, you can ensure that both parents have a say when it comes to larger issues. If you are unsure about what to do, it is always a good idea to talk to an attorney familiar with Arizona divorce and family laws.

Julio Arrant likes writing and discussing AZ child custody law. To get further information about family law tucson or to find lawyers specialised in child custody tucson Arizona, please check out the TucsonEstateLaw.com site today.