Child Custody in Knik-Fairview, AK

Child custody cases can affect nearly every aspect of your life in Knik-Fairfield. While it can have emotional costs, the financial ramifications can be substantial too.

After all, child support alone can take a significant portion of your income each year. If you are a custodial parent, these payments may not cover your needs.

You may need a local child custody attorney to make life more manageable. But you may not know the complete scope of actions available. Identify options that can change your family’s life using state law in the paragraphs below.

What Is Child Custody?

Deciding how children will spend time with their parents when they separate is a rough but essential topic. Not all child custody cases in Knik-Fairview, AK go to court. But when they do, life-changing decisions about this arrangement can be left to the judge.

Types of Child Custody Arrangements in Knik-Fairview, Alaska

There are three types of arrangements that you may reach with an ex-spouse. The options available are full, sole, and joint custody.

These legal disputes in Knik-Fairview may go to one of the trial courts in Anchorage. But you will want to speak with your attorney to understand which judiciary will become involved.

What Is Full Custody?

A full custody arrangement gives most parenting time to one parent who maintains physical custody. Typically, this individual gets to make most decisions about substantial considerations about religion, healthcare, or education. Thereby, this person is the primary custodial parent.

The Alaska Court System only awards full custody if it is in the best interests of a child from Knik-Fairview. Accordingly, the judiciary offers a list of elements that factor into this life-changing decision. The current considerations for a judge that rules on this type of case include the following:

• Physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and mental needs of the child
• The desire of the parents to provide for their child
• Amount of time the child has spent in a stable environment
• Evidence of child neglect, abuse, or abandonment

When a child resides with one parent, the other can have opportunities to be part of their lives. They can have visitation time, or children can spend alternate weekends at their place. Moreover, the individual with full custody may agree to joint custody for the benefit of their kids.

What Is Sole Custody?

The possibility remains that a parent may not receive any parenting time. Generally, this arrangement happens when someone is unfit to care for a child.

Some circumstances call for terminating parental rights. This court action may happen after a parent receives a conviction for a violent crime. Other examples involve inappropriate sexual conduct or child abuse. Alaska state laws vary on what might result in this drastic step.

What Is Joint Custody?

Joint custody is a legal agreement for parents to split physical custody of their child. When parents share this responsibility, their son or daughter will spend intervals of time with their mother or father. There are also times when families in Knik-Fairview, Alaska agree to “nesting.” This arrangement leaves the child where they live while the parents move in and out.

Alaska Statutes use many factors to decide if parents in Knik-Fairview can handle joint custody. But the overall expectation is that they demonstrate an ability to work together in the child’s best interest. Any history of domestic violence or other types of abuse can prevent it from happening.

One parent can retain more responsibilities during a joint custody arrangement. For instance, they may have more power over decisions about the child’s well-being.

Another crucial point is that joint custody does not always mean equal time together. In many situations, one parent can have primary custody while the other has a 60/40 split for physical custody.

The Factors Courts Consider When Making a Decision

Full custody in Knik-Fairview, Alaska is often the result of one parent not having the ability to contribute. For instance, they could lack financial stability or become incarcerated. Even more examples are when they get involved in dangerous or illicit drug activities. These situations can give a judge little choice but to grant sole custody to one parent over the other.

If there are no red flags, joint custody can go to both parents. They assume the responsibility of raising a happy and healthy child together. They also must maintain the ability to work together and maintain consistent communication.

But there are circumstances where parents do not work well together. If there are problems, the court should award one parent more privileges to reduce the conflict.

Parents need to coordinate resources and activities to support their child in Knik-Fairview. The details of the arrangement can vary. One parent may have supervised custody. Or the mother and father may have a public meeting place to pick up and drop off children.

The Basics of the Child Custody Process 

Many custody arrangements in Knik-Fairview, Alaska are subject to court orders. But there are other ways to reach a deal.

Regardless of whether you split amicably, you may need a lawyer to represent you. Many parents can negotiate a reasonable custody contract through their legal counsel. If this process works, you may not have to get the court system involved.

The Alaska Court System offers a Parenting Plan Dispute Resolution Program for these situations. It is a voluntary process that parents from Knik-Fairview may find helpful. The primary goals it tries to achieve are:

• Determining the most important issues
• Clearing up misunderstandings
• Exploring creative solutions to disputes
• Explaining and understanding proposals
• Reaching agreements

Participating in mediation in Knik-Fairview can help you reach an agreement that works best for your situation. But consider hiring an experienced child custody lawyer to help you understand your rights and avoid mistakes.

Work With an Experienced Knik-Fairview, Alaska Child Custody Lawyer 

Child custody battles can be exhausting, frustrating, and difficult to get through. They only get worse when parents are hostile, and they certainly call for the expertise of a Knik-Fairview lawyer. Otherwise, you can find yourself lost in the process and unable to make positive moves toward your goals.

Your odds of reaching an acceptable custody agreement are more likely with a child custody attorney in Knik-Fairview. They can help you understand your rights as a parent and use their professional skills to advocate for them.

Connect with an experienced lawyer in your area today. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Alaska state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!