When it comes to divorce and how the couple has decided their children and family will live, family lawyers offer their services for a clean and clear solution.
Usually, the court will give both separating parties time to find their own solutions to how they will deal with child custody and sometimes this takes up to a year, perhaps more. If no agreement is needed, then the court will make a decision for the concerned parties.
The main issues that the family court will deal with are common decisions about where the children will live and who they will communicate with. Sometimes, there are situations where the court will decide on other things, such as schooling, changing the child’s last name or whether or not they can leave the country. It all depends on the case.
Going to family court does not mean that the court decides on everything. Sometimes the court decides major things likes how much time a child will get to spend with each parent or when parents cannot agree on a certain issue. Generally, the clients have to look to their parental responsibility and keep the things they cannot decide for the court.
What is Parental Responsibility?
Parental Responsibility are all the duties, responsibilities and authority that the parents have over their children until they are eighteen years of age. The principles of parental responsibility are the same whether there parents are married or not. The same goes for same sex relationships, where both parents have duties over their children unless the court says otherwise.
Generally, when a child stays with their parents, they get to decide what a child should wear, what they should eat and so on.
A family Court can order the parents to have equal shared responsibilities or hand over certain responsibilities to either parent.
Shared Equal Responsibilities
Family law promotes shared equal responsibilities so that both parents have a say in any major and long term issues about their children. The major issues that the parents have to make decisions about include:
- Education
- Religion
- Major issues about child healthcare
- Name of the child
- Living arrangements
Equal Shared Responsibility is how parents will have equal rights when it comes to major decisions in the life of their child. It does not mean that the child will spend an equal amount of time with both parents.
If the court does order an Equal Shared Parental Responsibility it must follow a family law legislation which will include the amount of time the child will spend with each parent. Once this happens, it is a good idea to get in touch with a lawyer to discuss the final details. Acting in the best interests of the child is the main goal for moth parents, so for clients to get a lawyer with the best understanding of family law, is far more beneficial than getting someone who has little experience in the field. For this, there are many legal services available, with branches dedicated to family law.
Lorna Jones has been working closely with families who are separating. Her work with firms like www.djpsolicitors.com is of notable importance and she really appreciates their support.
