Child custody and parenting rights can be extremely contentious issues between unmarried or divorcing couples. Visitation rights and child custody become central concerns for both parents while going through a break-up. More and more, divorcing or unmarried parents in Arkansas are opting to execute a joint or shared custody agreement to ensure equal rights and access to their children after their separation or divorce.
Through joint custody, both parents share responsibilities with regards to all important decisions in the child’s life, such as education, health and religion. Joint custody also provides both parents significant physical parenting time to help foster a meaningful relationship with the child while he or she matures. Depending on the facts of the case, our lawyers may be able to provide guidance about whether to opt for shared custody or sole custody. A legal professional may be able to help a parent negotiate a child custody arrangement that fully addresses their concerns or modify a long-standing custody agreement to ensure equal rights of every parent.
In Arkansas, issues relating to child custody, child support and visitation rights are addressed in a parenting plan that aims to improve communication between parties to effectively address concerns of the child. A lawyer may be able to help draft a detailed parenting plan addressing all probable situations, thereby reducing the need to return to court.
A lawyer may also be able to help identify actions of a partner that may be aimed at parental alienation. Such actions include purchasing new toys, gifts or pets, bribing the child by promising favorite activities and speaking disparagingly about the other parent. Parental alienation is strongly discouraged by the court. To learn more about your rights as a parent, please feel free to visit our website.
