Child Custody Attorney Lexington KY
Child Custody Attorney Breck Norment practices in Lexington KY, minutes
away from the Fayette County Circuit Courthouse (where family court is held).
An important distinction in Kentucky family law is the difference between child custody (aka "legal custody") and visitation (now called parenting time). Child custody refers to the parents' rights to make decisions on behalf of the children in everyday life (such as where the child will attend school, where the child will attend church, where the child will receive medical attention, etc.). It further refers to a parent's rights to be involved in the key aspects of his or her children's lives (such as attending parent/teacher conferences, attending recitals for the children, attending sporting events, attending school functions with the children, etc.). As a general rule, joint custody is preferred in Lexington KY courts. In other words, both parties will have a right to make decisions for the children and both parties will have a right to attend the above-listed activities.
Assuming both parents are reliable and proper caregivers, Kentucky courts also generally prefer joint custody with relatively equal parenting time. This does not mean the court will split parenting time exactly, but it will try to get close. Lexington KY courts prefer these arrangements because it is the best way to help children adapt to the divorce and a new living arrangement.
If parenting time is relatively equal, the other parent may be entitled to a break on their child support in Lexington KY. This is based on the idea that both parents are supporting the children financially for a relatively equal amount of time and the parent paying child support should have a reduced obligation for his or her amount of time and expense spent with the children while in his or her care.
Sometimes, it makes sense to appoint one of the parents as the primary residential custodian. For example, if one party works during the day and the other parent needs to be able to make decisions on behalf of the children without contacting the other parent to make a joint decision, it may make sense for the non-working parent to be the primary residential custodian. It may also be pertinent to make one parent the primary residential custodian if the other parent is deemed unfit. It may also make sense to make one party the primary residential custodian if the other party has significantly less parenting time. Finally, it may make sense to make one party the primary residential custodian in Lexington KY if the child spends most of the time with that parent because the other parent is unavailable (for whatever reason). This determination of making one party a primary residential custodian will affect the child support calculations, but it will also allow that parent to make decisions unilaterally on behalf of the children. The other parent can still be called a joint custodian and have a right to attend all of the above-mentioned activities. Again, this type of joint custody is not preferred in Lexington KY or other Kentucky courts.
Sole custody is also not preferred by Lexington KY courts, but it is granted under certain circumstances.
In Lexington, KY child custody cases, the court makes its decision based on the best interests of the children.
If you, or a loved one, are facing divorce and child custody issues, do not face them alone. Call Lexington KY Divorce and Family Attorney Breck Norment for a free consultation.
Phone: 859-303-6007
Assuming both parents are reliable and proper caregivers, Kentucky courts also generally prefer joint custody with relatively equal parenting time. This does not mean the court will split parenting time exactly, but it will try to get close. Lexington KY courts prefer these arrangements because it is the best way to help children adapt to the divorce and a new living arrangement.
If parenting time is relatively equal, the other parent may be entitled to a break on their child support in Lexington KY. This is based on the idea that both parents are supporting the children financially for a relatively equal amount of time and the parent paying child support should have a reduced obligation for his or her amount of time and expense spent with the children while in his or her care.
Sometimes, it makes sense to appoint one of the parents as the primary residential custodian. For example, if one party works during the day and the other parent needs to be able to make decisions on behalf of the children without contacting the other parent to make a joint decision, it may make sense for the non-working parent to be the primary residential custodian. It may also be pertinent to make one parent the primary residential custodian if the other parent is deemed unfit. It may also make sense to make one party the primary residential custodian if the other party has significantly less parenting time. Finally, it may make sense to make one party the primary residential custodian in Lexington KY if the child spends most of the time with that parent because the other parent is unavailable (for whatever reason). This determination of making one party a primary residential custodian will affect the child support calculations, but it will also allow that parent to make decisions unilaterally on behalf of the children. The other parent can still be called a joint custodian and have a right to attend all of the above-mentioned activities. Again, this type of joint custody is not preferred in Lexington KY or other Kentucky courts.
Sole custody is also not preferred by Lexington KY courts, but it is granted under certain circumstances.
In Lexington, KY child custody cases, the court makes its decision based on the best interests of the children.
If you, or a loved one, are facing divorce and child custody issues, do not face them alone. Call Lexington KY Divorce and Family Attorney Breck Norment for a free consultation.
Phone: 859-303-6007