Worcester Child Custody Lawyer - Conveniently Located in Holden, Massachusetts
Child custody can be one of the most difficult and emotional aspects of divorce. But a skilled divorce mediator can alleviate some of the stress in this difficult decision. At the Law Office of Attorney William R. Lasher, we work to ensure that our clients understand their custody options as well as the advantages and difficulties that each presents. All the while, we strive to ensure that the children's relationships with both parents are protected.
Worcester Child Custody Attorney - Legal and Physical, Sole or Joint
Custody is divided into two parts, legal and physical. Each part can be held jointly (shared) by both parents or solely by either one. Legal custody concerns major decisions in the child's life such as schooling and nonemergency medical treatment. It does not involve day-to-day issues like lunch or bedtime. Joint legal custody means parents share responsibility for the larger decisions in the child's life. Legal custody is joint in the majority of cases.
Sole physical custody refers to designating the parent with whom the child resides (the custodial parent) and the parent who has visitation rights. Joint physical custody means the child splits time equally between the homes of both parents. That arrangement is growing in popularity, but can be difficult because of the transportation problems involved. It works best when ex-spouses live near each other and are on excellent terms. Attorney Lasher's experience enables him to distinguish situations in which joint custody is likely to be workable from those in which it may be a mistake.
The Physical Custody Decision
Physical custody, if disputed, goes to the parent who has been the "primary caregiver" during the marriage. Who that is isn't always clear. A common custody dispute today involves one parent wanting sole custody while the other favors joint. Attorney Lasher has encountered the problem many times and is well equipped to help you amicably decide the issue.
Holden Child Visitation Attorney
Visitation refers to the noncustodial parent's right to time with the children, generally away from the custodial parent. When ex-spouses expect to behave amicably, divorce agreements can simply provide for "reasonable visitation." It's only in relatively hostile divorces that precise visitation schedules must be spelled out in the agreement.
Child Support
Child support is set in accordance with state guidelines based on the incomes of both parents. Child support generally continues until children are 18, or 23 if in college. Payments are not tax-deductible to payers nor are they taxable to the recipients. Payments don't have to go through the Department of Revenue if the parents are on good terms.
To discuss your situation and arrange a consultation, call today at 774-345-9996.