While divorce is stressful for the couple involved, it can be even more devastating for children. Child custody plays an important role in creating and maintaining a stable environment for children.
The family lawyers in OKC are deeply knowledgeable about Oklahoma child custody laws. At Naidu Law, Family law attorneys, we work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure that you’re able to be with your children, and so you can provide them with the emotional support that they need during this trying time in their lives as well as yours.
TYPES OF CHILD CUSTODY
Child custody refers to the rights parents have in regard to raising their child. Custody includes where the child physically lives, who the child can interact with, and who makes decisions regarding the child’s wellbeing.
Oklahoma law allows for several different types of child custody. Our family law attorney in OKC can help you sort through the different options to find what will work best for you and your family’s needs.
Child custody arrangements include:
- Joint custody: Joint custody means the parents share custody. This means both parents make decisions on behalf of their children and both make decisions about how the children will be raised. The parents decide on a visitation schedule that works for everyone involved.
- Sole custody: Sole custody means one parent has control of the decision-making regarding his or her child. Visitation rights are typically granted to the other parent.
DECIDING CHILD CUSTODY
Ideally, you and your spouse will be able to come to an agreement regarding custody on your own. Our divorce lawyers in OKC are happy to assist in that process.
If an agreement can’t be reached, the court will decide how to award custody. The judge will keep several factors in mind and decide in light of what will be in the best interests of the child.
Some factors include:
- Each parent’s relationship with the children
- Whether there is a history of violence
- Whether there is a history of drug or alcohol abuse
- Each parent’s mental and physical health
- Whether there is a criminal record
- The previous involvement of each parent in the children’s activities
If only one parent is awarded custody, the other parent will be given visitation rights. Visitation may be supervised or unsupervised. The visitation schedule can also be decided by the court.
In Oklahoma, children can state a preference for which parent they would like to live with. This preference is given more weight once a child reaches age 12 or older, but the judge is not obligated to go by the wishes of the child.
LET US HELP
Deciding on child custody can be exhausting and stressful. Let us help. We’re available to assist with your entire case, or we can just assist with one aspect of your divorce, such as child custody. This type of arrangement is called unbundled or limited scope representation.
At Naidu Law, Family law attorneys, we have experienced Oklahoma City family lawyers who are ready to help. We’ll ensure that your rights are defended every step of the way. Contact us today at 405-792-2400.