Child Custody Disputes in North Carolina

Fayetteville NC Child Custody Lawyers

Of all of the different matters that need to be sorted out when a couple is going through a divorce, the issue of child custody is usually the most sensitive. It is very difficult to voluntarily surrender custody of your child or children, and indeed, this is one of the many reasons why divorce is something that should not be taken lightly. Child custody matters are inherently challenging because aside from simply not wanting to lose custody of your child, you also want your child or children to know that you are passionate about asserting your desire to retain custody. This makes it all the more difficult to compromise “for the good of the child.”

There are two different components to child custody in North Carolina: physical custody, and legal custody. Physical custody is pretty much self explanatory; it refers to whose home the child or children will be living in. Legal custody entails the right to decision making in regard to the children, including things such as religious affiliations and what schools to attend. Types of custody include sole custody, joint custody, and split custody. Sole custody gives one parent total physical and legal custody. Under a joint custody arrangement the parents share both the physical and legal custody of the children. And split custody is in place when there are multiple children and each parent has custody of one or more of them.

As challenging as it may be when there is a custody dispute, the divorcing parents need to work together to come up with a solution. The courts will very rarely wind up making a custody decision, and in North Carolina, mediation will be ordered before they will hear the case. Third party mediators can often help to guide the parents toward a custody agreement that is in the best interests of the child or children, and indeed, the well being of the dependent children should guide the process. If both parents try their best not to lose sight of this ultimate goal, the child custody dispute should be able to be resolved amenably without going before a judge.

Parents who are engaged in child custody disputes would be well advised to retain the services of an experienced Fayetteville NC lawyer who has a background in family law.