What will happen to the kids when the parents decide to end their marriage? This is a common question for many Kentucky parents as they walk through the divorce process. In most cases, parents are committed to protecting the best interests of their children above all else, sometimes even working together on a custody order that is uniquely tailored to the needs of their individual family.
One of the most important aspects of a child custody order is how the parents will share time. Because of work and school schedules, it may be impossible to have exactly equal parenting time, but kids should be able to have meaningful amounts of time with each parent. They may share parenting time, but that does not necessarily mean parents will each have the right to make choices for their kids.
The ability to make important decisions for the children is an important right, and it is separate from legal custody. In some cases, one parent may retain this right even when sharing custody. Another important factor is to determine how parents will share financial responsibility for the children. This includes child support and major expenses, but it is beneficial also to discuss and track small, daily expenses that can add up over time.
Ultimately, the goal of any custody order and parenting plan is to protect the best interests of the children above all else. However, a Kentucky can still fight for his or her parental rights at the same time. For help with these sensitive and complex matters, it is helpful to work with an experienced family law attorney.