Contact Us Get legal advice today.

Mon – Thurs 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am – 2:00pm

Child Custody Part 3: Legal Custody

Legal Custody | Child Custody Lawyer in Raleigh NC

Over the course of the past few blog posts, our child custody lawyer in Raleigh has been discussing the various types of custody. Today, we are going to discuss yet another type, called legal custody.
Legal custody is different from physical custody. Legal custody gives a parent the right to make decisions about raising the child and aspects of their welfare. In addition, the parent is able to make decisions about the child’s education, dental care, medical care, religious instruction and other long-term factors of life. Many judges strive to award both parents legal custody. In a marriage or co-parenting situation, children get used to having both parents there for every milestone, decision and activity in life. When a divorce or breakup happens, a judge will try to keep both parents in a child’s life.
Most cases award legal custody to both parents. This is called joint legal custody. While we talked about this previously, it’s important to remember that sometimes, a parent is deemed unfit or incapable of making decisions for a child. Then, that parent isn’t awarded legal custody. Other reasons why a parent wouldn't be granted legal custody include:

  • Parent lives a large distance from their child
  • Parent is neglectful, abusive or a drug addict
  • Parent has no part of the child’s life, day-to-day and doesn’t spend time with them

In our next blog post, our child custody lawyer in Raleigh NC will discuss physical custody and how it differs from legal custody. Be sure to visit back with us, soon.
If you are involved in a child custody dispute and need help, consider contacting our child custody lawyer in Raleigh. While you might be able to deal with this alone, and represent yourself in court, you don’t have to. This time can be difficult, overwhelming and emotional. Eldreth Law Firm, PLLC is here to help.

Eldreth Law Firm PC

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about estate planning. Also contact our estate lawyer in Raleigh NC to schedule a consultation if you have yet to start estate planning. It’s never too early to make plans for your wishes upon death. In addition, we are here to help you with all your legal matters, whether it be estate planning, trademarking, copyrighting, or DWI issues.
For more information about the various types of child custody, be sure to take a look at each of the following blogs in the rest of this series, below:

No Comments Yet.

Leave a comment