Child Custody

Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With After a Divorce?

Published on: December 13, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With After a Divorce?

Divorce can create a difficult situation for families. Generally, parents both have legal custody of their children and can make important decisions regarding their health, education, and more. Typically, a child will reside with one parent and have regular visitation with the other. The parent where the child resides is often called the primary custodial parent. Many parents wonder whether their child is allowed to choose which parent they wish to live with when they get divorced.

Where Will a Child Reside After Divorce?

Can I Request a Change to a Child Custody Order?

Published on: October 18, 2023 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.

Can I Request a Change to a Child Custody Order?

When parents’ divorce, they come to an agreement regarding the custody of the children they have together. The judge makes the custody agreement part of the court order, usually called a permanent custody order, and you and your former spouse are required by law to follow what is in place. Generally, parents share custody with the children living primarily with one parent and having visitation with the other. You may wonder whether you can make changes to the child custody order after it is put in place. A knowledgeable family law attorney will guide you through the process.

Grounds for Child Custody Modification

Child Custody Agreements

Published on: September 13, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Child Custody Agreements

When couples divorce, they have many issues that they need to resolve. When the spouses have children, there are additional concerns that involve caring for their children following their breakup. Both parents have rights and responsibilities regarding their kids. Parents must come to an agreement about where the children will reside and when and how visitation will take place. It is often best for parents to come to a custody agreement before they go to court.

Types of Custody Arrangements

What are the Three Most Important Issues in a Divorce?

Published on: August 30, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What are the Three Most Important Issues in a Divorce?

Absolute divorce means the dissolution of your marriage. North Carolina allows no-fault divorce. This can make the process somewhat easier, however, you will still need to work to resolve the important settlement terms of your divorce. Couples must fulfill the requirement to live separately for a period of one year before they can divorce. You can utilize this time to work through the various matters that deal with uncoupling. Here are the three most important issues that most couples will face during divorce.

Division of Property

Child Guardianship

Published on: July 5, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Child Guardianship

There is nothing more important than ensuring the health, safety, and happiness of your children. You are there to provide for them and keep them from harm. But what happens when a parent is unable to care for their child? A legal guardian will need to be established in situations where the child’s parents are not able to continue caring for their child. An experienced attorney will help you with guardianship matters.

Why Might I Need a Guardian for My Child?

Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With in a Divorce?

Published on: June 21, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With in a Divorce?

Divorcing while having children can be challenging and stressful, not just for the parents, but also for the kids. Generally, parents share legal custody of their children after divorce. Legal custody allows a parent to make important decisions on behalf of the child. When it comes to physical custody, where the child resides, one parent is typically the primary custodial parent, and the other parent has regular visitation. Parents and courts will decide where children will live after their parents’ divorce, but many wonder whether the child has the option to choose his or her preference.

Child Custody: The Best Interest of the Child

Resolving Summer Custody Issues

Published on: June 7, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Resolving Summer Custody Issues

The summer is a time for kids to enjoy being away from the classroom to have fun, take vacations, and enjoy life. The visitation schedule during the school year is typically set to provide consistency. But what happens to visitation during the summer months? It is helpful to set up a detailed visitation or parenting plan as part of your divorce. A knowledgeable family law attorney will help you with child custody and visitation issues.

Summer Custody Concerns

What Factors Determine Child Support in North Carolina?

Published on: May 31, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What Factors Determine Child Support in North Carolina?

When parents’ divorce, they must still care for their children. Generally, parents share legal custody of their children, and they are both able to make important decisions on behalf of their children. Often, children reside with one parent while they have regularly scheduled visits with the other. When a child lives with one parent most of the time, that parent is said to have primary physical custody. The other parent is the non-custodial parent. Usually, the non-custodial parent pays child support for the care of their child.

What is Child Support?

What is the Difference Between Joint and Sole Child Custody?

Published on: May 17, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is the Difference Between Joint and Sole Child Custody?

When parents’ divorce, they still have the responsibility of raising their children. Divorce can make parenting more challenging. Both parents are still part of their children’s lives and must still provide for them. Both parents generally have legal custody of their children. Legal custody means that you are allowed to make decisions on behalf of your child, such as those regarding education, religion, and medical needs. Parents may have joint or sole physical custody of their child.

Physical Child Custody

How Do I Prepare for a Custody Case?

Published on: April 26, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

How Do I Prepare for a Custody Case?

When parents divorce, they often disagree about some of the fundamental settlement terms. Disputes regarding the children are among the most common arguments between divorcing couples. In North Carolina, both parents often share legal custody of their children. This is called shared parenting or co-parenting. The children typically live primarily with one parent and have regular visits with the other parent. Sometimes, parents cannot agree on child custody. When that happens, it can make the divorce process more difficult and stressful.

Child Custody