Getting through the issue of child custody arrangements can be challenging and even painful for everyone involved, especially the kids. It’s a decision that often comes up in the event of a divorce. In this kind of case, the court may be involved, or the parents can work it out outside of court. More often than not, child custody cases become contentious and grueling to deal with.

That’s why we at The AR Family Law specialize in helping our clients through these cases. Our team of Fayetteville child custody lawyers will relentlessly ensure you keep your parental rights while providing an outcome that is in the best interests of your kid(s).

Defining ‘Child Custody’

Child custody refers to the legal and practical aspects of your relationship with your child. It’s one of the most important family law issues in the legal system, and at AR Family Law, we take it very seriously.

Child custody details your rights and responsibilities as a parent and is determined by what’s in the best interests of your child or children. The central focus of child custody should be on ensuring all of their needs are met, physically, emotionally, and beyond.

Types of Child Custody

Child custody is divided into two separate forms in a case: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is the parent’s right to a say in major decisions regarding a child’s upbringing, such as education, healthcare, and religious affiliation. Physical custody involves where your child will live and your everyday caregiving responsibilities.

In a child custody case, parents can also have either sole or joint custody, meaning either one or both are given legal and physical custody of the child or children. Below, we go into further detail on each different type of sole and joint custody and what they could mean for each parent:

Sole Legal Custody

Sole legal custody means one parent has the exclusive right to make major decisions about the child’s life. This means if you have it, you won’t need to talk with the child’s other parent about big, important decisions. If you don’t have it, your influence is limited, but you may still have some sway as you’re involved in day-to-day interactions with your child.

Sole Physical Custody

Sole physical custody is about which parent your child or children will live with. Whoever has sole physical custody has proven they are capable of handling the child’s daily needs, including a safe living space, meals, and emotional support.

In this case, the other parent may have visitation rights, depending on what the court orders. They may be able to see their child freely. Or, they may be subject to a visitation schedule where they can only see their child on weekends and holidays or only during supervised visits. It all depends on what is in the child’s best interests.

Joint Legal Custody

Joint legal custody allows for both parents to share in making major decisions about their child’s life. This can give you and your former spouse a chance to create a healthy co-parenting system that ensures stability and comfort for your child.

Joint Physical Custody

Joint physical custody means your child spends a lot of time with both of their parents, often on a schedule such as alternating weeks or even half of each week. The child has two homes, and both parents handle day-to-day responsibilities during their time with the child.

While some types of custody sound better than others, at AR Family Law, we know not every child custody case is the same, and no solution is one-size-fits-all. But instead of being another obstacle in your case, we roll up our sleeves and work out a plan to ensure your rights are protected and your child(ren) get everything they need and deserve.

Do you need help getting child support payments or having them modified? Or are you looking to reestablish custody of your child and need help earning it? Talk to a family law attorney at AR Family Law today and get assistance from a supportive team of family law and child custody case experts.

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Factors in Court When Deciding the Custody Arrangement

In a family law or divorce case, the final say in which the parent retains child custody comes from the judge. That said, the parents can form a child custody arrangement, and if the judge thinks it is fair and in the best interests of the child or children, they will usually go with the arrangement.

Without an agreed-upon arrangement, the judge will make the decision for you and your former spouse. This decision will be based on evidence you both have brought to the court, as well as independent investigations the court has ordered.

So, to ensure you have a say in your child’s future, it is better to work together. If not, then the judge will make their decision based on a number of key factors you and your spouse have made clear in court.

These factors make up what is considered “in the best interests of the child” since that is always the most important thing. Here are a few of those factors for you to remember:

• Care and ability to provide for the child’s emotional and developmental needs.

• The individual parent’s mental and physical health.

• The parent’s ability to provide a stable living environment.

• Each parent’s willingness to encourage the child to maintain a relationship with the other parent.

• The child’s connection with their school, home, and community.

• Any history of abuse to the child and/or to the other parent.

In Arkansas, the court will often encourage mediation or co-parenting agreements to resolve child custody cases.

Why Choose AR Family Law?

As a team of child custody attorneys in Fayetteville, AR, we know how complex these cases can be. That’s why we take a down-to-earth approach with our clients, supporting you as both a friend and a member of your team.

We don’t take any shortcuts or leave you out of the way — instead, we help you through every step of your case. We also don’t drown you in legal jargon. Instead, we keep things clear and simple.

As our client, we also shape our schedule and practices around you. Do you prefer to talk by email or phone? That’s no problem at all. Is this whole case becoming too much of a burden? Talk to us. We’re here with you every step of the way.
On top of providing support, as our client, you’ll be working with a team that is highly experienced in family law. You’ll have a Fayetteville child custody attorney who will fight relentlessly to maintain your rights as a parent while ensuring your child’s best interests.

Our Process:

1. You can schedule a free consultation with us.

2. Arrive and meet to discuss details of your case and your goals.

3. We help you develop a strong strategy for your case.

4. When the time comes, we will represent you in court or in settlement negotiations

Find the Most Reliable Child Custody Attorneys in Fayetteville, AR, at AR Family Law.

Ensure the best for your child’s welfare and protect your parental rights with help from child custody case experts at AR Family Law. Our firm is ready to help with your case. Just contact our Fayetteville family law office today and schedule a free consultation.