The child custody lawyers at the Zachary Law Group in Chandler, Arizona work with families who are going through divorce or separation, with new parents who will not be living together, with families facing child custody disputes, or with families looking to change an existing parenting plan. If you are going through a divorce or separation, one of the most important decisions you’ll make regarding your separation or divorce will involve child custody. It can be very difficult to change parenting plans once they have been approved by the court following your divorce. This is why it is important to settle your child custody matters in a satisfactory manner, because you may only get once chance to get it right. The child custody lawyers in Chandler, Arizona at the Zachary Law Group understand that you want to settle your divorce as quickly as possible so you can move on with your life. We work closely with families to develop parenting plans for child custody that are in the best interests of the children.
The child custody lawyers in Chandler, Arizona at the Zachary Law Group can also assist you if you are unmarried and have child custody questions. If you are a new parent or have a child and won’t be living with the child’s other parent, a child custody plan can ensure that your child has a relationship with both parents and that there is a legal understanding about child custody, decision making, and parenting plans. The child custody lawyers in Chandler, Arizona at the Zachary Law Group can work with you if you need help developing a parenting plan, settling a child custody dispute, or need to make changes to a parenting plan that has already been approved by a court.
Finally, the child custody lawyers in Chandler, Arizona at the Zachary Law Group can help you if you are a grandparent or other family member seeking custody of a child. Grandparents or other family may seek custody in emergency situations where the parent is either ill, using drugs, or a danger to themselves or their children. If your loved one is in a violent or abusive home, family members may be able to seek temporary or permanent child custody to protect the children. If you are concerned family member and have questions about child custody in emergency situations, reach out to the child custody lawyers in Chandler, Arizona at the Zachary Law Group today.
Options for Child Custody Settlements in Chandler, Arizona
There are two main ways that a child custody decision can be reached in Chandler, Arizona. The first way entails both parents reaching a resolution outside of court, with the assistance of a child custody lawyer in Chandler Arizona with the Zachary Law Group. The second way that a child custody dispute can be resolved is through the courts. Both parents will bring their parenting plans to a judge and a judge will make a decision about where the child will reside based on the “best interests of the child” standard.
In most cases, a child custody law firm in Chandler, Arizona will work with you to develop a parenting plan outside of court. Taking a child custody dispute to court should generally be seen as an act of last resort, because doing so means you are putting your children’s future in the hands of a judge, who may not know you nor your family well. Parents who take a child custody dispute to court run the risk that the judge will make a child custody decision neither parent wants. The Chandler, Arizona child custody law firm, Zachary Law Firm can work with your family to negotiate the best and fairest resolution for your parenting plan possible.
If you are getting divorced in Chandler, Arizona, and have children, one of the most emotionally fraught decisions you will have to make involves child custody. While child custody decisions can be among the most emotional made during a divorce, it is important to understand that these decisions involve a legal process and that certain requirements must be met. For example, the courts generally favor a child custody arrangement in which both parents have the right to make decisions for their children. This is often referred to as legal custody. However, if you and your ex will reside in separate homes, a decision must be made about where your children will reside. Here, you have several options. You can decide to split parenting time. In this arrangement, both parents share custody and try to divide time as evenly as possible. This arrangement works best when parents either continue to share a home or live close to one another. Another arrangement involves one parent having sole physical custody, while the other parent enjoys parenting time.
Child custody decisions can become complex. Every family is different. Your schedules, your needs, and your desires might vary as time passes, so it is important to anticipate changes and make your child custody decision and parenting plan sufficiently flexible. At the Zachary Law Group our child custody lawyers in Chandler, Arizona work closely with families to help them develop a parenting plan that works. It can be very difficult to change a parenting plan after one has been approved by the court. It is essential that you get this right the first time. Visit the Zachary Law Group, child custody lawyers in Chandler, Arizona who can help you reach a child custody agreement that is in your children’s best interest and meets your needs.
What Should You Include in Your Parenting Plan in Chandler, Arizona?
Your parenting plan should include some fundamental provisions. For example, every parenting plan should include a parenting schedule and also account for how holidays, birthdays, and travel will be arranged and spent. A parenting plan should also include provisions for making schedule changes. For example, the parenting plan should specify how far in advance each parent should contact the other to make changes to the pre-set visitation or parenting time schedule. The parenting plan should also specify how each parent will communicate the wish to make changes (e-mail, phone, letter). The plan should also take emergency changes into account. Another fundamental concern that should be addressed in the parenting plan involves making important decisions. If you and your partner will be sharing legal custody—and in most situations, the courts will favor that both parents share legal custody—you’ll need to make provisions for how important decisions will be made. These decisions cover specific areas of your child’s life, from health care, schooling, discipline, religion, and activities. Some parents may divide the responsibility, with one parent in charge of religion and the other parent in charge of health care, while other families may want to share decision-making. The parenting plan should also include provisions covering how both parents will communicate and how parents will communicate with the children when the children are with the other parent. These basic requirements should be included in all parenting plans. The biggest questions that must be answered going into the creation of a parenting plan involve where the child will primarily reside. The Zachary Law Group are child custody lawyers in Chandler, Arizona who work closely with families to help them create a parenting plan that will be accepted by the courts.
In addition to these basic requirements, there are other provisions that parents should also consider including in their parenting plan:
- Time with Extended Family and Friends. In addition to shared parenting time, when child custody decision are made, grandparents and extended family will also want to have time with the children. You may want to make provisions for when children can visit with grandparents and extended family. If there are certain people you don’t want your child to have contact with, it may also be important to specify this in your parenting plan.
- Expenses. While child support will be based on your income, there are other expenses that are not considered by child support. These expenses include college education expenses, extracurricular expenses, and other costs. These added expenses can be included in the parenting plan.
- Tools and Calendars. There are many tools and calendars available to help co-parents schedule and plan better. You may want to include these tools and calendars in your parenting plan.
A sound parenting plan can help you anticipate problems and concerns. The plan can also help you and your ex set a foundation for your co-parenting journey together. The Zachary Law Group, child custody attorneys in Chandler, Arizona, can help you get your parenting plan right.
Help with Child Custody in Chandler, Arizona
While the best-case scenario will involve a situation where you and your ex can reach an agreement about child custody outside of court, there are situations where you may need to take your child custody case to a judge. If you and your ex are having difficulty making custody decisions, reach out to the Zachary Law Group in Chandler, Arizona today. Our child custody law firm can help you ask the tough questions, address your goals, and help you understand your rights and responsibilities. Child custody decisions can be tough. The Zachary Law Group is here to help.
If you are in a situation where you fear for the safety of your child with the other parent, or if you are a concerned family member fearing for the safety of a child, the child custody lawyers in Chandler, Arizona at the Chandler Law Group may be able to help you. Our child custody law firm can help you navigate the various family law matters related to custody when a child’s safety is on the line, including seeking restraining orders, pressing charges, and more.
Zachary Law Group is without a doubt the law firm you want to hire. Its founder, Steven Zachary, has a strong background including nearly 30 years of legal experience.
After years of practicing law in both Minnesota and Arizona, Steven Zachary opened Zachary Law Group. His desire was to create a law firm dedicated to helping individuals and families through their difficult legal issues. Our child custody lawyers in Chandler, Arizona can work with you to develop a parenting plan that is in the best interests of your child.
Modifying a Parenting Plan and Child Custody in Chandler, Arizona
It can be very difficult to modify a parenting plan or child custody after a plan has been approved by the court. This is why it is important to get your parenting plan right the first time around. Yet, if you can show that there have been major changes in your family or child’s circumstances, it may be possible to have a judge review your parenting plan or consider a new plan. It may be a good idea to have a child custody lawyer in Chandler, Arizona on your side. Reach out to the Chandler, Arizona child custody lawyers at the Zachary Law Firm today to learn more about your options and rights under the law.
CHANDLER ARIZONA CHILD CUSTODY ATTORNEY
Being a child custody attorney is only one of our legal areas of expertise. Our attorneys also have many years of experience in criminal defense, drug law, domestic violence cases, bankruptcy, and estate planning. And since we are a member of the Better Business Bureau, you can be sure that you’ve come to the right place.
Chandler Law Group
At Zachary Law Group, PLC, we’re pleased to serve the legal needs of Chandler. We are here to assist you in any law issue, whether it be child custody attorney or another type of case. Having an experienced child custody attorney in Chandler on your case makes a difference.
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