Family disputes can be extremely complicated, tense and emotional. When trying to resolve your family issues, it is always prudent to hire a family lawyer to help you.
At Valerie M. Little Law Corporation, we do everything we can to make sure your case is handled smoothly and without delay. You and your family are stressed out enough. Let us help reduce your stress. Here are a few issues for you to consider before your first meeting with a family lawyer.
What factors help determine custody?
One of the most pressing concerns when dealing with a divorce is who gets custody of the kids. Both parents will undoubtedly want to fight for custody, so it is important to be aware of the determining factors the judge will look at to make a decision.
Here are some factors the court will consider:
(a) the child’s health and emotional well-being;
(b) the child’s views;
(c) the nature and strength of the relationship between the child and significant persons in the child’s life;
(d) the history of the child’s care;
(e) the child’s need for stability given the child’s age and stage of development;
(f) the ability of each person who is a guardian or seeks guardianship, parenting responsibilities, parenting time or contact time to exercise his or her responsibilities;
(g) the impact of any family violence on the child’s safety, security or well-being and whether the family violence is directed toward the child or another family member;
(h) whether the actions of a person responsible for family violence indicate that the person may be impaired in their ability to care for the child and meet the child’s needs;
(i) the appropriateness of an arrangement that would require the child’s guardians to cooperate on issues affecting the child;
(j) any civil or criminal proceeding relevant to the child’s safety, security or well-being.
Custody could be awarded to one or both parents depending on the situation. Educate yourself about the different custodial possibilities and make sure you go down the path that is best for your family. For a custody lawyer in Coquitlam call 604-526-3333 to schedule your confidential consultation.
What is the difference between sole and joint custody?
Many people believe that the difference between sole and joint custody is pretty cut and dry. But there are certain subtleties you should probably learn about before going to court. Sole custody means that the child will stay full-time with a single parent. The other parent may or may not have access but still needs to provide financial support. Joint custody is just that - joint. But it does not mean that custody is shared equally. How much time the child spends with each parent is largely dependant on the child’s individual and developmental needs and the parent’s ability to meet those needs and the (a) to (j) factors detailed earlier in this blog. Sometimes a primary residence is specified even though the parents share joint custody.
What is child support?
When faced with a custody battle, you should know that there is a very real possibility that you will be required to pay child support to your former spouse. But what does that entail? Child support is money that will go to help raise your son or daughter. It covers food, living accommodations, utilities, clothes etc. How much you have to pay is initially determined by your gross annual salary in accordance with a prescribed table under the Federal Child Support Guidelines.
If you are looking for a family or divorce lawyer in Coquitlam, give us a call at Valerie M. Little Law Corporation. Visit us here for more information regarding our services and how we can assist you resolve your family law problems.