In Arizona, child custody, is referred to as parenting time and legal decision-making. When going through a divorce, it is essential to determine a parenting time schedule and come to an agreement on legal decision-making responsibilities. In some cases, these rights may be shared by parents, and in others, they may be held solely by one parent.
If you are a parent in Phoenix and would like to establish court-ordered parenting time and legal decision-making rights, the joint custody attorneys at the 602 Law Group can help. Call us today at 602-857-5000 to schedule your consultation with an informed Phoenix family law attorney.
The 602 Law Group Can Help With Your Phoenix Joint Custody Matter
At the 602 Law Group, we believe quality legal services can be cost-effective. Not only do we offer skilled and knowledgeable joint custody representation, but the 602 Law Group can also represent you in your paternity, divorce, or other family law matters.
Meet with one of our joint custody attorneys to learn how Arizona’s child custody laws can affect you and your children before taking any legal action. The 602 Law Group will work with you to ensure your proposed parenting plan meets Arizona’s best interest of the child standards and your child support calculation is accurate.
At the 602 Law Group, we believe in equal rights for parents. Call our Phoenix office now to schedule your appointment with a dedicated joint custody attorney.
Joint Custody in Arizona
When people refer to joint custody, they are usually referring to the legal decision-making authority of parents (legal custody). Legal decision-making is the ability to make significant life decisions on behalf of a child.
These include a child’s:
- Religious upbringing
- Education
- Medical care
- Extracurricular activities
Parents can share legal decision-making jointly, jointly with one parent having final decision-making authority, or one parent alone may hold legal decision-making authority.
The Best Interest of the Child
Arizona’s courts base child custody decisions on the best interests of the child or children involved in the case. Absent a showing to the contrary, Arizona law presumes it is in the best interests of a child to have substantial and meaningful contact with both parents.
The court will consider any relevant factors when making a child custody determination along with the following:
- The past, present, and potential future relationship between the parent and the child
- The interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child’s parent or parents, the child’s siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s best interest
- The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community
- If the child is of suitable age and maturity, the wishes of the child as to legal decision-making and parenting time
- The mental and physical health of all individuals involved
- Which parent is more likely to allow the child frequent, meaningful, and continuing contact with the other parent
- Whether one parent intentionally misled the court to cause an unnecessary delay, to increase the cost of litigation, or to persuade the court to give a legal decision-making or a parenting time preference to that parent
- Whether there has been domestic violence or child abuse
- The nature and extent of coercion or duress used by a parent in obtaining an agreement regarding legal decision-making or parenting time
- Whether either parent was convicted of an act of false reporting of child abuse or neglect
Parents who can work together in the best interest of a child are likely to be awarded joint legal decision-making authority. In the event a separation becomes complex, contact a Phoenix divorce attorney to help navigate your legal standing and help work towards your best interest
Who Gets the Final Say?
Parents with joint legal decision-making authority who cannot reach an agreement on a shared matter must use a mediator or the court to resolve any disagreement. This can be a time-consuming and expensive process.
Therefore, many parents follow a joint legal decision-making process where one parent has the final say in the event of a disagreement. The parent with the final say must make a good-faith effort to resolve any dispute with the other parent. Parents who abuse their final decision-making authority could lose their final say to the other parent.
A sole legal decision-maker does not have to consult with the other parent before making any child-rearing decisions. Sole legal decision-making authority is typically reserved for cases where there is a history of domestic violence, neglect, and drug or alcohol abuse.
A sole legal decision-maker may be necessary when one parent is belligerent and unwilling to cooperate with the other, or there is a geographical barrier to joint legal decision-making authority.
Contact an Experienced Phoenix Joint Custody Attorney Today
If you would like joint legal decision-making authority for your children, call the 602 Law Group. One of our joint custody attorneys will gladly walk you through Arizona’s child custody laws.
The 602 Law Group wants you to have a meaningful relationship with your children. Start creating your ideal parenting plan with us today.