Child custody is an important legal issue when parents become separated or divorced. Kentucky law provides parameters and rights for parents and children when determining custody issues. Generally, parents have the right to visitation with their children regardless of other child-related issues such as payment of child support.
Most child custody arrangements follow a schedule that determines the time and place where parents meet to exchange custody. Sometimes, this schedule is left to the parents to determine on their own. If the parents cannot agree, then the court may order the exchanges happen at certain times or places. Failure to follow the court order could endanger the offending parent’s access to custody in the future.
The exchange of custody is also more likely to be a problematic time. There are a variety of reasons for this. It may be one of the few occasions that parents must see each other face to face. Disagreements or hostility can flare during this time. Some parents may even use the exchange as an opportunity to try and influence the custody arrangement by framing the other parent for wrongdoing. While extreme problems during the custody exchange are rare, it is important for parents to keep in mind that any show of hostility or disagreement is detrimental to the child. How a parent acts during a custody exchange may have legal ramifications when it comes to custody orders.
Custody determinations are often grounded in what is considered to be in the best interests of the child. The judgment of the child’s best interest can change at any time depending on a parent’s action or inaction. A parent may have to go to court to resolve a custody disagreement and obtain visitation rights. A family law attorney may be able to help by representing the parent in court and helping them present a case to the judge that will result in favorable custody or visitation orders.