Child Custody Lawyers Near Me

Some of the most painful and costly legal disputes that divorcing couples encounter involve parental rights. Fortunately, having an experienced attorney on your side can go a long way toward helping resolve these kinds of proceedings as quickly and as smoothly as possible. If you are considering separating from your child’s other parent, it is important to search out the best “child custody lawyers near me” who can help protect your child’s interests. 

Allocating Parenting Time

The allocation of parenting time refers to the actual amount of time that a child is able to spend with each of his or her parents. While all parents entering into a divorce are required to propose a timesharing schedule, judges will only approve plans that are in a child’s best interests, which requires an analysis of:

• • The distance between both parents’ homes;
  • Who is currently responsible for providing the majority of childcare;
  • The child’s level of adjustment to his or her current home;
  • Both parents’ schedules;
  • Whether the child has siblings; 
  • The physical and mental health of all parties involved; and
  • Whether the child has any unique needs. 

Generally, courts prefer to establish parenting time schedules that give both parents significant time with their children. The form these schedules take, however, depends in large part on the specific circumstances of the case. If two parents live very close together, for instance, a child may be able to spend part of each day with one parent, while sleeping at the home of the other. Alternatively, a child could spend one night each week, as well as weekends with one parent and the rest of the week with the other parent. For help coming up with a schedule that best suits the needs of your own family, please contact our legal team today. 

Allocating Parental Responsibilities

When allocating parenting time, courts also divide various parental responsibilities between the parents in question. Generally, the input of both parents is required to make significant decisions about a child’s education, health, religion, and extracurricular activities, so responsibility for making these decisions is usually divided equally. Otherwise, each parent will be charged with providing day-to-day care (often referred to as caretaking functions) when they are physically with that child, which includes:

• • Satisfying the child’s nutritional needs;
  • Caring for the child when he or she is sick;
  • Washing, grooming, and dressing the child;
  • Ensuring that the child attends scheduled extracurricular activities;
  • Providing transportation for the child;
  • Directing the child’s various development needs; 
  • Providing discipline;
  • Ensuring that the child attends school;
  • Helping the child develop and maintain appropriate relationships with peers and family members;
  • Making sure that the child attends medical appointments; and
  • Arranging alternative care for the child. 

Please call us today to learn more about the types of parental responsibilities will be divided during your own child custody case. 

Schedule a Free Case Review

To speak with a team of experienced child custody lawyers near me who can help represent you in your own child custody matter, please call Demetrios N. Dalmares & Associates, Ltd., and schedule a free case evaluation. You can also reach a member of our legal team by sending an email to info@dalmareslaw.com today.