The child custody laws in Arizona are not as clear-cut as they used to be. In addition to considering the arrangement that is in the best interest of the child, family court judges must consider other factors and make an attempt to divide parenting time equitably between both parents. A child custody lawyer in Bisbee can help you understand how custody laws will affect your case.
Custody in Arizona is called legal decision-making and the courts will typically award it to one parent or both. Family courts prefer that parents reach their own agreement regarding custody and parenting time before they go to court. Because parents know their children’s schedules, they are in a better position to set up a plan that is manageable for everyone involved. Your attorney may help you develop a tentative parenting time schedule to present to your child’s other parent.
Arizona courts do not favor one parent over the other based on gender. Fathers have an equal opportunity to get sole legal decision-making of their child as mothers. However, if the parents are not able to reach an agreement out of court, they may have to go to trial to prove to the judge which parent should have legal decision-making. Your child custody lawyer in Bisbee will help you prepare your case and present your evidence to they judge.
If your child will not live primarily with you after your divorce or separation, you can expect the law in Arizona to allow you an ample amount of parenting time. Non-primary parents can ask for and receive much more time with their children than every other weekend. With the new laws and an experienced lawyer advocating for your rights as a parent, you can continue to be an active participant in your child’s life. The changes in the law still allow judges to consider the child’s best interest and discourage parenting time with abusive parents in most situations. Parents who have been accused of violence against the other parent should work closely with their lawyer to have the best chance of convincing the judge that they should have parenting-time with their minor children.
