Parents in Indiana usually want what is best for their children. However, sometimes the problem is that parents disagree on what, exactly, that is. Whether the parents are going through a divorce or they were never married to begin with, child custody can be an issue that sparks emotional turmoil, resentment and even anger. If the parents cannot reach an agreement on child custody, the issue may turn into a complicated legal dispute.
If that sounds like a situation that is brewing in your family law matter, understanding your child custody options is crucial. For example, it is important to recognize that there are two main aspects to child custody: “physical” custody and “legal” custody. “Physical” custody refers to where the children will live and spend time. “Legal” custody refers to which parent – or both – gets to decide on important issues impacting the children in question, such as where they will attend school or childcare, what healthcare they will receive and even what religious instruction they will receive, among other issues.
What are your options?
When a child custody issue is boiling over into a full-blown dispute, Indiana residents are looking for all available options. In many cases, family law judges prefer for the parents to attempt to reach an out-of-court agreement that works for all parties, because parents know their family dynamics better than a judge ever could.
However, the unfortunate reality is that oftentimes parents simply can’t agree. When that happens, litigation in a courtroom may be necessary. At our law firm, we are prepared to help our clients assess all options. For more information about how we attempt to help Indiana residents who are facing these issues, please visit the child custody overview section of our law firm’s website.