Child custody arrangements allow divorced parents to share caretaking responsibilities and stay connected to their families.
As a divorcing parent in Kentucky, you should be familiar with possible custody arrangements you might encounter. By exploring your options, you and your ex-spouse can create an agreement that benefits your children.
Child custody orders
Family courts must balance many factors when determining custody of children. For example, judges examine the parents’ fitness and the children’s needs, as well as the home environment and educational opportunities.
In Kentucky, divorced parents can share physical custody, or one parent can have sole custody of the children. In many cases, noncustodial parents can have visitation time with their children as determined by the court. You can also share legal custody, which means both parents have a right to participate in crucial decisions that impact your children’s upbringing. You and your former spouse can present a plan to the court if you agree on how to divide custody. You can also seek mediation or resolve custody disputes in court.
Modifying child custody
As a divorced parent, you can seek changes to your child custody order. You might discover that your custody-sharing plan is not optimal a few years after your divorce. In addition, life circumstances can change for parents. For example, you or your ex-spouse might encounter career changes, schedule adjustments and moves to new locations. You can submit documentation to a Kentucky family court presenting your reasons for requesting modifications.
Parents can share custodial duties in many different ways in Kentucky. During your divorce, you should consider which arrangements promote your family’s interests.