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Rhode Island Child Custody Lawyer

The depth and strength of the relationship between a child and a parent can often lead to disputes when the question of child custody and visitation needs to be determined. No parent wants to willingly sacrifice his or her time with his or her child and as a result these emotionally charged decisions are exceptionally difficult in all aspects for each party.

The question of child custody and visitation needs to be resolved in a way that serves the best interests of the child. This can start with who has been the child's main caretaker, if one person filled that role. Having an experienced Rhode Island child custody lawyer is crucial.

Rhode Island child custody is divided into two categories:

Physical possession — this refers to which parent the child resides with.
Legal custody — this refers to the ability to make key decisions for the child regarding major issues such as education, health care and religion.
The courts often work to create custody arrangements so that both parents can play a significant role in the child's life.

Are you an unmarried parent involved in a custody dispute?

Many child custody and visitation proceedings are not part of a divorce; rather, they are independent legal issues that require carefully structured decisions. For parents who are not married, separation involves settling difficult questions regarding whom the child will reside with, along with establishing visitation rights as parents work to make important decisions regarding the child's upbringing. I use my extensive experience as a Rhode Island child custody lawyer to help unmarried parents secure the child custody and visitation arrangements they desire and need for the best interests of the child or children.

Children

If you and your spouse have children together and they are still dependent, there will be various issues that will need to be settled before a division may be granted. At The Law Offices of Attorney Terence Livingston, an experienced Rhode Island child custody lawyer in Providence RI, we believe that children must be protected during the process in order to ensure that they have a secure environment after the marriage is dissolved.

For a Rhode Island child custody lawyer in Providence, children’s issues are the most important issues that you will be confronted with throughout your divorce process. Thus, you and your spouse will be responsible for various important issues such as child support, child custody and visitation.

Your Rhode Island child custody lawyer in Providence will help you develop a Parenting Plan that determines the day-to-day responsibilities, as well as a co-parenting schedule, a holiday schedule and legal custody over the major issues affecting a child’s life, such as, their education, religious upbringing, medical attention and extracurricular activities.

Understanding the Difference Between Parenting Time and Legal Custody

Deciding where your children will reside after a divorce can be one of the most emotionally-fraught decisions you’ll ever make in your life. Families sometimes struggle to answer these questions. Additionally, parents who are getting divorced may wonder what requirements the courts may impose upon them when making a decision about where children will reside. Fortunately, parents have the right to make decisions about where their children will reside and who will make decisions on behalf of their children. However, it can help to have Attorney Terence Livingston, an experienced Rhode Island child custody lawyer in Providence , working with you to help you find the best possible resolution.

It is important to make the distinction between the concept of placement of the children and legal custody. Legal custody refers to a parent’s ability to make decisions on behalf of his or her child. In general, the courts favor joint legal custody, permitting both parents to make decisions for their children. However, where a child will reside and how often the other parent will see the children is often one of the more difficult issues to resolve. This issue is known as placement.

Courts use the best interests of the child standard when making decisions about either placement or legal custody. For instance, while the courts may not eliminate one parent’s right to make decisions for the child, the courts may place restrictions on the kinds of decisions a parent can make if one parent could endanger a child. While the courts very rarely favor stopping a parent from seeing a child, the courts may place restrictions on when a parent can see a child and the circumstances surrounding one parent’s time with the child. If you disagree with your former partner about certain parenting issues, it can be useful to speak to a child custody lawyer in Providence RI. Attorney Terence Livingston understands Rhode Island Family Law and can help parents either resolve their issues outside of court, or fight in court for a parent’s right to make decisions in their children’s best interests.

Guidance During the Most Difficult Legal Challenges

Supervised visits and limits on overnight visitation are rare. However, if a parent has been found guilty of domestic violence or a violent crime that could endanger the children, then supervised visitation may be appropriate. It is important to understand that these extreme limitations are placed only in cases where proof of danger to the child is present.

Finally, when working out a parenting plan after divorce, it is important to have realistic expectations about parenting time and decision-making. It is usually in you and your former partner’s best interest to make parenting time and legal custody decisions outside of court. While some parents must take their disputes to a judge, this means that you will be placing your child’s future in the hands of a stranger, who may make a decision neither parent wants. Terence Livingston is a Rhode Island child custody lawyer, who works closely with parents to help them resolve their differences and make decisions in the best interests of their children. Speak to a Rhode Island Child Custody Lawyer in Providence today.

Let Me Help You Secure the Child Custody Arrangement You Need

I am Attorney Terence Livingston, your Rhode Island child custody lawyer. I have been working to help my clients secure the successful outcomes they seek to very complex legal situations since 1991. I understand how important child custody and visitation issues are to my clients. Everyone should have the right to continue to play a vibrant role in the life of his or her child. As a Rhode Island child custody lawyer, I use my experience and skill to advocate for my clients and to ensure that the court sees a clear and accurate picture of how their children will benefit from a child custody arrangement that preserves the relationship they have with their children.