When a divorced couple has children, the courts will need to decide what type of custody arrangement is best for them, incorporating important things to put in a custody agreement. The law in Connecticut is designed to base these decisions on the best interests of a child. This includes determining physical and legal custody as well as visitation arrangements. Parents can create a custody plan on their own but must have it approved by a judge before it is considered legally binding. If parents cannot reach an agreement, the court will determine the appropriate arrangement in a trial. A judge will consider many factors including: the health and safety of the child, each parent’s lifestyle and ability to care for the child, the age of the child, whether one parent has a new romantic partner, any living arrangements (such as suitability of new home or apartment), parental history, and more. The wishes of the child (if they are able to express them) will also be given some weight.
A judge may award a sole physical custody arrangement, where the child lives with one parent. However, considering the important things to put in a custody agreement, the non-custodial parent will likely have adequate visitation rights, ensuring a balanced upbringing for the child. A judge may also award sole legal custody, giving one parent full responsibility for the child’s life and all major decisions related to it. While Connecticut judges prefer joint legal and physical custody arrangements, incorporating important things to put in a custody agreement into their decisions, they will award sole custody in rare circumstances if it is what is best for the child.
It is possible to have both joint legal and physical custody if the parents can agree on a parenting schedule. This parenting schedule is not legally binding but will provide a framework for the future, highlighting the importance of including important things to put in a custody agreement to ensure clarity and mutual understanding. Parents should work with an experienced family law attorney to help them determine what their preferred parenting time would be.
Non-custodial parents are able to request supervised visitation in the event that the non-custodial parent has a history of domestic violence or there are other concerns. Supervised visitation allows the non-custodial parent to spend time with their children but under the watchful eye of someone such as a friend, family member, or a family law professional, which is one of the important things to put in a custody agreement for the safety and well-being of the child.
Anyone who has a significant relationship with a child can petition for visitation rights. This can include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives. Furthermore, ensuring the inclusion of important things to put in a custody agreement can safeguard these rights effectively. In addition, if a judge finds that denial of visitation would cause real and significant harm to the child, they can grant visitation rights. However, this is a very serious situation and judges will need to carefully evaluate each case.
A common question after a Connecticut divorce or legal separation is “How much child support do I have to pay?” The answer depends on the incomes of both parents, the number of children, who has primary physical custody, and understanding the important things to put in a custody agreement. Courts in Connecticut and other states use mandatory guidelines to determine a reasonable amount of child support to be paid. Generally, the non-custodial parent is required to pay a certain percentage of his or her net income to the custodial parent for the care and support of the children. In some cases, courts may deviate from the guidelines if circumstances warrant it.
The formula for calculating child support in CT is very similar to that of most other states. The basic elements are the gross incomes of both parties and the number of children being supported. Then the calculation applies a basic formula based on an “income shares model” which is meant to proportionately allocate the total parenting expense between the two parents. Other factors, including the important things to put in a custody agreement, may also be considered or impact adjustments to these basic guidelines, such as the financial needs of the children, tax deductions, and imputed income for a parent who is not currently working.
These guidelines provide a mathematical formula that provides some predictability and consistency in determining support amounts. However, the guidelines do not account for all of the unique circumstances involved in each case. Recognizing this, incorporating important things to put in a custody agreement can offer additional clarity and fairness to both parties. In fact, the majority of cases that are resolved through a Connecticut divorce mediation or collaborative process find that their child support award falls short of the guideline amount. The greater majority of amicable parents understand the shortfall and, by considering important things to put in a custody agreement, work together through the divorce mediation or collaborative process to create plans to address the overall specific needs of their children on an annual, bi-annual, or as needed basis.
A parent’s obligation to pay child support is enforceable in Connecticut until the child reaches the age of majority, or is emancipated from his or her parents by statute. It's crucial to consider the important things to put in a custody agreement to ensure that the support covers the duration effectively and fairly. In most cases, the child support obligation terminates upon the later of the date that the child completes high school or turns 19 years old. In some special situations, the support obligation may be extended beyond this age if there are mental retardation or other physical or emotional disabilities that require long-term care.
In addition to the direct weekly guideline child support payments, the obligor or obligee is responsible for the cost of health care premium insurance for the children, childcare expenses, and any other extraordinary expenses related to the child. Typically, these expenses are deducted from the obligor or obligee’s monthly gross income prior to the application of the child support guidelines. Including these considerations as part of the important things to put in a custody agreement ensures that all parties are clear on their responsibilities. If the obligor or obligee has access to health insurance through their employer, these costs should not be reflected on the child support worksheet. For this reason, being completely honest when completing the child support worksheet is essential, highlighting the importance of transparency and accuracy in the process.
When parents divorce, they must decide who will care for their children, considering the important things to put in a custody agreement. The judge will look at many different factors and will make a custody decision that is best for the child or children. The court may award joint legal and physical custody to both parents, or it may award one parent sole legal or sole physical custody. In most cases, the court will order a visitation schedule that provides both parties with time to spend with the children.
In most cases, a child custody and access arrangement will be established by the parents or their attorneys. Including the important things to put in a custody agreement can facilitate a smoother process for both parties. Unless there are serious concerns about the safety of the child, the judge will grant unsupervised access to the non-custodial parent. The judge may also allow grandparents and stepparents to spend time with the child, but they must demonstrate that they are a fit caregiver for the child.
The judge will consider a number of different factors when determining a child visitation schedule. Acknowledging the important things to put in a custody agreement is vital, as the most important factor is what is in the best interests of the child. The judge will consider the age of the child, the relationship between the child and the parent seeking visitation, the current parenting schedule, and other factors that may be relevant in each case.
A common arrangement is for the child to live with the mother, and for the father to have visitation on an every other weekend basis plus a day or two of midweek access. Addressing holidays and vacations is among the important things to put in a custody agreement, ensuring both parents share meaningful time with the children. The schedule will also address vacation and holiday time. Some schedules are more flexible and may involve shorter visits. Infants and newborns should have more frequent and shorter visits.
In joint custody arrangements, emphasizing the importance of including provisions that promote the child’s relationship with both parents in the custody agreement is crucial. The parents are obligated to encourage and actively promote the child’s relationship with the other parent, which is one of the important things to put in a custody agreement. A judge will not reward a parent who is less encouraging of this relationship and may award that parent fewer hours when deciding on visitation time.
The court will also consider the living conditions of the custodial parent, and whether they are suitable for the child’s stay. Recognizing the importance of establishing a safe and stable environment for the child in the custody agreement is essential. Parents with primary or shared physical custody are obligated to provide their children with a home, food, and basic clothing during their scheduled days of parenting. In addition, the parents must maintain a reasonable standard of care and supervision during their time with the child, underscoring the important things to put in a custody agreement. The judge will also consider any special circumstances that may exist in each case, such as a domestic violence situation or the need to accommodate special needs.
McConnell Family Law Group
638 Prospect Ave, Hartford, CT 06105, United States
(860) 266-1166