| The heart of NC law is to provide and protect a child | | | | - - Any drug and alcohol abuse by either parent? |
| by doing what's in the best interests of the child. | | | | - - Has either parent moved from state? |
| When required NC will rule child custody to the parent | | | | - - Either parent shows a history of child abuse? |
| or guardian who is deemed by the court to exhibit | | | | - - How much time the parent can spend with the |
| what is in the best interests of the child. | | | | children? |
| What North Carolina custody would much rather see | | | | - - Any Non-marital sexual relationships? |
| is the parents determine child custody and all the | | | | - - Preference of the children if the judge deems the |
| details involved. | | | | children is capable of understanding what is being |
| At the time of research NC law does not require the | | | | asked. |
| parent's to present an agreement to the court, as | | | | - - Does the parent accept and encourage contact |
| the court will abide by the parent's decision. That | | | | with other parent? |
| brings up a good point, if you and the child's other | | | | - - How stable are the parents? |
| parent reach an agreement put it in writing, every | | | | - - Does the parent try to undermine the other |
| detail, leave nothing to the imagination. The reason to | | | | parent? |
| put the agreement in writing is to show proof. | | | | These and any other you can think of should be |
| If you and your ex or soon to be ex do not put a | | | | involved when you and the other parent are deciding |
| condition of custody in writing and later there is a | | | | on issues and conditions. |
| disagreement and one of you go to court with no | | | | Wow as I reread what I just wrote, I am writing |
| proof, they will disregard your claim as a condition, | | | | from a perspective of both parents working out an |
| because it was never in writing. Do not take this | | | | agreement themselves. Unfortunately, parents not |
| piece of advice lightly, it very well could come back | | | | being able to reach an agreement happen far too |
| to cause unneeded or unwanted grief not only to | | | | many times. Many reasons factor into disagreement's |
| you but your child as well. | | | | including not accepting ones limitations, anger, |
| Here is an outline of the types of custody and | | | | resentment, wanting you to regret at all cost, etc. |
| descriptions of each. Custody is divided into 2 | | | | If this is where you are at now, you need to keep |
| sections, legal child custody and physical child custody. | | | | your cool in a way you may find hard to do. I mean I |
| Legal is having the right to make major decisions for | | | | know this is the roughest time of your life and you |
| the health and welfare of the child including education, | | | | want to come apart at the seams - DON'T! |
| medical, and religious decisions. | | | | Any action or reaction may only make gaining |
| Legal custody is divided into 2 options. | | | | custody of your child harder. Remember the court will |
| - - Sole legal custody is when a parent is given the | | | | rule for the best interests of the child, not the |
| exclusive right to make the major decisions. | | | | parent. This is no time to do something stupid that |
| - - Joint legal custody is when both parents share in | | | | you could payfor the rest of your life by losing |
| the major decisions of their child. | | | | custody of your child. |
| Physical if awarded decides whom the child will live | | | | Get real life information now that can guide you from |
| with. | | | | not knowing, too knowing in advance. Questions and |
| Physical custody can be categorized as: | | | | answers that you not only need to know, but know |
| - 1) Sole physical custody if awarded gives one | | | | in advance. Questions like: |
| parent the right for the child to live with them. When | | | | - - What do I do right now to improve my chances |
| this occurs the other parent usually receives visiting | | | | of winning custody? |
| rights. | | | | - - What behaviors must I exhibit to give me an |
| - 2) Joint physical custody when awarded allows both | | | | edge? |
| parents to share in decisions made for their child and | | | | - - Get the answer to this one burning question any |
| for the child to live with both parents. This does not | | | | parent must have regarding sole custody! |
| mean your child has to live exactly 50% of the time | | | | - - Must know secrets to getting an attorney to do |
| with each of you. | | | | as you say. |
| - 3) Bird Nesting is when the child stays in the home | | | | - - Questions that will be asked during a child custody |
| and the parents take turns living in the house with | | | | evaluation. |
| the child (one parent at a time). | | | | - - Know the behaviors that judge's look down at. |
| In the unfortunate event a parent would have to go | | | | - - Learn the 4 facts about child custody mediation |
| to court to enforce a condition of a child custody | | | | that can lessen the likelihood of a drawn out |
| agreement, the court will not hold either party to | | | | expensive court battle. |
| exact terminology. What I am saying is if "Both have | | | | - - Know what to ask a lawyer to see if they are |
| custody" stands for "Joint custody" in your | | | | qualified and will fight for you. |
| agreement the court will recognize that. | | | | Having the answers to these, and other must have |
| If there is a hearing, NC allows the court to use a set | | | | information is vital to gaining an advantage to winning |
| of factors in determining child custody. Below are a | | | | custody of your child. |
| few of the factors including but not limited to: | | | | |