When you decided to adopt, did you ever expect that it would be such a lengthy and litigious process? Many people are surprised to find that adoption is a significant part of family law. In fact, adoption attorneys play a critical role in every single adoption. While many agencies will arrange for the necessary legal services, things are trickier when you are involved in an independent adoption.
If you find the prospect of all this legal wrangling too much to bear, then it's time to stop worrying! We want to help prospective adoptive parents to get through this process so that they can provide a caring and loving home to the children who need it the most. We'll give you the information you need to prepare for the legal side of adoption, in terms that will (hopefully!) demystify the entire affair.
There are few parenting disputes that can be more serious than matters involving the custody of children. Due to the high-stakes nature of these disputes, a person is well-advised to become informed about the potential issues that they could experience when it comes to managing the custody of their child.
Are There Different Types Of Custody?
Parents that are going through a divorce for the first time may assume that all types of custody will largely be the same. In reality, there are different types of custody, and it is important for a parent to be aware of these differences. For example, physical custody will provide a parent with the right to tend to the child's short-term and daily needs. In contrast, legal custody is needed to make long-term decisions, such as where to attend school and concerning major medical procedures.
Is It Possible To Modify An Existing Custody Agreement?
While custody agreements are intended to give stability to the parents as they attempt to raise their child in a fair way, these documents can be changed. This is needed to account for the fact that a person's living situation can suddenly change. For example, one parent may lose the ability to financially support their child, or the current visitation schedule may not be compatible with one parent's work schedule. In these situations, the easiest option will be for the parents to negotiate a solution to the problem among themselves before submitting this change to the courts. It is important to always have these changes documented in the courts so that you will be protected in the event that a dispute arises over the new custody and visitation terms. Sadly, there can be times where the other party may simply be too unreasonable to be able to reach an agreement. In these situations, your attorney can petition the court to have a judge rule on the situation.
What Happens To Visitation Rights If The Parent Moves To Another State?
Whether it is due to personal or professional reasons, a parent may wish to move to a different state. These matters can be complicated when there is a custody agreement in place, as the visitation rights of the parent without custody will need to be protected. Moving to a state that is too far for the parent to reasonably travel may not be allowed without first modifying the agreement. This may require a new negotiation process between the parents, and while this can be time-consuming and stressful, it is essential for protecting the rights of both parents.
For more information, work with a local child custody attorney.