North Carolina parents who are going through a divorce will have to figure out a co-parenting agreement. One of the challenges families face is dealing with two different sets of house rules. While this may not seem like a big deal, having different standards in each home can be confusing for children. After a divorce, children need order and constancy. A unified set of rules for both houses can help accomplish this. One parent might be more stern in some instances, but it is better to have the … [Read more...]
Tips for co-parenting with a difficult former spouse
Parents in Charlotte who are divorced might struggle in co-parenting with a former spouse. However, if the conflict is largely between the parents and not the result of serious problems such as domestic abuse, one parent might be able to take action to improve the situation. The most important thing the parent can do is remember to keep the focus on the child. Remembering that the child's well-being is what matters may help in navigating the relationship with the other parent. As part of this … [Read more...]
Parenthood increasingly central to dads’ lives
For Charlotte fathers, parenthood is becoming increasingly central to their personal identity and sense of self. The concept of fatherhood in the United States has gone through strong shifts in the past several decades, with a turn toward highly active involvement in care and child-rearing. A survey conducted in 2015 by the Pew Research Center highlighted how important fatherhood is to their self-image. Approximately equal numbers of fathers and mothers highlighted parenthood as essential to … [Read more...]
Parents should consider children in creating parenting schedules
Creating a parenting schedule is an integral part of the child custody process for Charlotte residents who are not with their child's other parent. It's about showing the child a willingness to work together as much as it's about dividing the responsibilities of child custody. When it comes to developing a parenting plan, it's important to keep the child's perspective in mind, consider logistics, account for the child's schedule and possibly involve the child in the process. Child custody … [Read more...]
Obtaining custody of a sibling
If both biological parents of a North Carolina child die, or if they are not fit to care for the child for some reason, an older sibling might want to get custody. In order to do this, the sibling must be at least 18 and legally emancipated. If the parents are deceased and the sibling has been named in their wills as the child's legal guardian, the process may be less difficult. In some cases, biological parents might also agree to relinquish custody. However, if neither of these is the case, … [Read more...]
Why joint legal custody may be the right choice for some parents
When parents in Charlotte get a divorce, they might share legal custody even if they do not split physical custody. Legal custody gives parents the right to make decisions about important issues in their children's lives, such as schooling, religion and health care. Sharing legal custody can have a number of advantages. Some of the decisions that need to be made can be daunting, and parents may appreciate being able to talk them over with one another. However, legal custody does require that … [Read more...]
How to handle another parent’s substance abuse
Charlotte divorced parents might wonder what they should do if they learn their former spouse is abusing drugs or alcohol. Courts generally learn about a parent's substance abuse in one of three ways. It may come up in a custody hearing, it might be reported to social services, or it might be reported directly to the court. If a parent raises the issue during a custody hearing, a judge will look into the allegations. Because the judge is trying to assess what arrangement is in the best … [Read more...]
What to do in a child custody hearing
Parents in North Carolina who are going through a divorce might want to consider whether they can compromise on joint custody instead of each of them fighting for full custody. However, if they cannot agree, then the decision might be made by a judge following a custody hearing. If this happens, the parent should prepare for the hearing by researching custody law. The judge will make a child custody ruling after determining what is in the child's best interests. A number of elements might … [Read more...]
Shared parenting means shared photographs for these parents
A child of divorce herself, Victoria B. had very few photographs of her childhood at all, let alone pictures that included both of her parents. After her own divorce, she was determined not to let that happen to her son Bruce. So, when she was scheduling a family photography session a couple of years ago, she decided to give her ex-husband a call. He agreed to participate, and he came along again last year. They believe it sends the message that, while they may not be together anymore, they are … [Read more...]
Definitions of child custody and visitation
A divorced Charlotte parent might have visitation or custody rights. If the parent has visitation rights, this means the parent has the right to spend time with the child, but the child does not live with the parent. The child lives with the parent who has physical custody rights. Physical custody, dealing with the child's primary residence, is only one type of custody. Legal custody is the type. A parent who does not have physical custody might still share legal custody with the other parent. … [Read more...]
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