About a million children are affected by divorce each year in the United States, and their ongoing health and emotional well-being depends heavily on the way that their parents deal with the end of their marriages. This is why a child custody lawyer in Phoenix AZ can make such a difference in their lives, helping to set them on the right path for a happy, healthy future.
There are many factors that a judge must consider when awarding child custody. These include the parents’ wishes, whether either parent has a history of domestic violence or other legal issues, the child’s relationship with each parent and siblings, the current living arrangements, the child’s age, the ability of the child to communicate and express their views, and the overall health of the child and both parties.
A good child custody attorney can be an invaluable resource for the family, guiding them through the entire process and working diligently to ensure that the court awards them the most positive outcome possible. They will work hard to encourage the parents to find a solution outside of court, which can speed up proceedings and reduce the cost. They will also fight for their client’s rights in the event that the matter does go to trial, keeping the process as stress-free as possible.
The first step to becoming a family law attorney is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. While there is no one-size-fits-all undergraduate program, some programs that can lead to a career as a child custody lawyer include studies in philosophy, political science, economics, psychology, or business. Once this is completed, the student must then attend a law school. Law schools are generally three-year programs, with students attending on a full-time basis.
After graduating from law school, a student must pass the bar examination. This is a rigorous test, and it can take months to prepare for. Once the student passes the bar, they can become a licensed attorney in their state.
In some cases, a judge may award sole physical custody to one party while assigning legal custody to the other party. Physical custody is the actual living arrangement between the parents, and it can be divided into different segments. Joint custody allows both parents to share the responsibility of raising the child. This includes decision-making power for “religious training, health care, education, and personal care decisions.” In other cases, one parent may be awarded sole legal custody, allowing them to make all of the decisions for the child. In this case, the noncustodial parent would only be allowed visitation rights. These are generally only denied in extreme situations, such as if the noncustodial parent had physically or emotionally abused the child, or if the child was at risk of harm from the parent. The judge will carefully evaluate each of these situations to determine the appropriate outcome.