Child Custody Lawyer
Dealing with a divorce is never easy, and when you have children it can be especially difficult. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure you’re still able to see your kids as much as possible, and even take an active hand in raising them right.
As a child custody lawyer Kansas City, KS residents prefer, such as our friends at the Law Office of Daniel E. Stuart, P.A. can explain, child custody is a complicated battle that has the potential to make your divorce even more bitter than it already is. Many divorces go surprisingly smoothly until it’s time to decide who gets the kids, and who gets the money.
Read on to learn more about your options for child custody, and see how the getting in touch with the right lawyers can make all the difference when it’s time to fight for your kids.
What is a Custodial Parent?
During a divorce, the court usually awards custody to one of the parents, while the other parent only receives visitation rights. The parent who is awarded custody is the custodial parent, and – as the name suggests – will handle most of the responsibilities associated with raising children. A custodial parent’s job is to ensure his or her child’s best development, and it takes a lot of work.
When you’re a custodial parent, you have to shoulder a lot of responsibility. You’ll need to feed, shelter, and clothe your child (or children) and you’ll have to take them to and from school. You’ll also need to make sure they’re healthy: Taking them to medical appointments also falls under your long list of responsibilities. And if your child participates in extracurricular activities, that’s your wheelhouse also.
As a custodial parent, you’re in charge of making sure your child is raised right, and you’re in charge of making sure they have everything they need to grow into healthy, well-balanced adults. It’s a lot of work, but it comes with a major advantage: You get to see your child all the time, and you get to watch him or her grow up.
What are Visitation Rights?
If you haven’t been awarded custody, the court may award you with visitation rights. As a non-custodial parent, you won’t have as many responsibilities as your ex, and you won’t have to take part so much in fostering your child’s wellbeing and development. However, this means you won’t be able to see your child as often as you’d like, and you’ll be stuck with following a set visitation schedule that may only add up to a few days a month.
Visitation rights are awarded to non-custodial parents, and if you’re that non-custodial parent, you’ll also have to make regular child support payments. These payments are meant to be used for the good of your child, and the amount may vary depending on your income and the situation in which your ex might be living at the time of the divorce.
How Can a Child Custody Lawyer Help Me?
When you contact a child custody lawyer, you’re getting a valuable ally who can help you fight for your kids. If you want to take part in your child’s development and help them grow to be the best person they can be, it’s important to seek legal help so you can be the parent you were always meant to be.
Don’t hesitate. Contact a child custody lawyer today to get started.