South Jordan Child Custody Lawyers

Committed to Protecting Your Child’s Best Interests

When a marriage ends, one of the most important decisions involves where the child will live – and how often they will see each parent. This is called “child custody,” and contrary to popular belief, the mother is not automatically granted preference in custody considerations. Rather, the courts will look to decide the child’s best interests, making their well-being and happiness central to any child custody case.

As South Jordan child custody attorneys with over 300 years of combined experience in family law and a range of other practice areas, our team at Pearson Butler will strive to ensure that your rights as a parent are also protected. By considering the different factors involved in custody and lending a listening ear to your side of the story, our full-service law firm will be well-positioned to advocate for your child’s needs, as well as your own.

Contact our Salt Lake County child custody team at (801) 683-5813 today to start exploring your legal options.

Types of Custody Arrangements

Terms like “sole custody” and “joint custody” are rarely used anymore, as they do not fit most modern custody arrangements. Instead, Utah courts acknowledge that there are two main forms of child custody, and that the distribution will look slightly different for every family and divorcing couple. Either form of custody can be shared or “split” among both parents, or it can be awarded to a single parent.

The two main types of child custody:

• Physical custody: Governs the physical living arrangements for the child, as well as appropriate visitation schedules or “parenting time” for the other parent.
• Legal custody: Allows a parent to make decisions about the child’s life, including education, religious upbringing and affiliation, medical treatment, and other important choices.

Common Factors Considered in Child Custody

Courts tend to hold that it is the child’s best interest to spend time with both parents, although this time is not always distributed right down the middle. This is why it is rare for one parent to have sole physical and legal custody of a minor, unless there are credible allegations of child abuse and neglect.

Although some parents may assume that the child’s preference reigns supreme in determining custody, the truth is that child custody is one of the most nuanced and complex decisions that a judge will make during a divorce case. Children over the age of 14 may be able to provide more valuable insight into their preferences, but ultimately, the decision rests with the judge overseeing your divorce case.

Here are a few of the most common factors a judge will evaluate when determining custody:

• Each parent's ability to provide the child with adequate living arrangements
• The lifestyles and work schedules of each parent
• The parents’ moral and financial conduct
• Evidence of any abuse, including domestic violence, neglect, and sexual abuse
• The nature of each parent’s relationship with the child
• The co-parenting skills of the couple

5 Considerations for Child Custody

It’s All About the Children

We are oftentimes inclined to think it is about us and let our judgment be clouded by the difficult situation we are in. Be sure to focus your attention on your children, and what their needs are. Read books. Seek out the input from qualified people, such as school counselors, teachers, therapists, and social workers. Your kids are more resilient than you may think.

Try Getting Along

Many marriage and family therapists have indicated that most well-adjusted children divorced families are those whose parents are able to get along. That doesn’t mean you have to be best friends (you aren’t together for a reason, right?). And it doesn’t mean you always have to give in. But consider benefits your children may experience if you are both willing to put your children’s needs ahead of your personal convenience.

Don’t Disparage

Almost every case will include a provision prohibiting a parent from disparaging the other parent to the children. And this is for good reason. Your children see themselves as a reflection of both of their parents. When you disparage the other parent, what your children actually hear is that there is something bad about the child. Understanding this will actually help your children’s emotional health.

Calendar

Consider using an electronic calendar, like Google, that both parents can have access to and add to. This will help in coordinating the many events, activities, games, and recitals that your children will have. It will help it keeping both of you in the loop so neither parent misses out.

Remember the “Golden Rule”

If you would like favors and consideration for flexibility from the other parent, consider doing so yourself. This doesn’t always work, but it is worth a try.

At Pearson Butler, we have a comprehensive knowledge of how the family courts work in Salt Lake County, and we can help answer all your questions about child custody. Our South Jordan child custody lawyers are committed to improving the lives of our clients and making the process less confusing and frustrating for everyone involved.

Call (801) 683-5813 today to contact our family law team for a consultation.