I understand that you want the best for your child, and that you will need to make decisions that can have a lifelong impact on your child’s well-being. I provide the support, guidance and team of professionals you need to help you make these choices.
Legal vs. physical child custody
It is important to understand what custody entails.
In Connecticut, there are two types of custody: legal and physical, both of which can be either sole or joint. If legal custody is joint, then both parents have an obligation and a right to make decisions for the child together. These decisions include the child’s medical treatment, including medications taken for mental health and vaccinations, schooling and the child’s religious upbringing. If one parent has sole legal custody, that means that parent has both the responsibility and right to make these decisions on their own.
Parenting time & parent-child relationships
One of the most difficult aspects of a divorce is negotiating custody and visitation arrangements for your children. As parents, you both care about your children and want to continue nourishing and building the parent-child bond as they grow and mature. I fully understand how vital these arrangements are to the future of your family and strive to assist you in creating favorable outcomes beneficial for your family unit.
The goal is to create a plan that provides your child with the most stable environment emotionally, financially, physically and educationally. I will explain the conditions of both legal and physical custody, and work with you to arrive at a mutually acceptable parenting plan in which an allocation of parental responsibilities is carefully and thoroughly examined.
Understanding your children’s needs
In the process of collaborative divorce, the priority is your child’s physical safety, health, and educational needs. We focus on what is best for their social development and psychological health, ensuring that the divorce process supports their overall well-being.
Key considerations include:
- The developmental needs of the child, ensuring they have the support they need at each stage of growth.
- Each parent’s capacity to provide a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment.
- The quality and history of the parent-child relationship, aiming to preserve and enhance positive connections.
- Awareness and management of any challenges, such as previous instances of substance abuse or neglect, with a focus on healing and improvement.
In my practice, I collaborate closely with psychologists, counselors, and other professionals to thoughtfully develop a parenting plan that aligns with the unique needs of your family. Our goal is to foster a cooperative environment where both parents work together to create a stable and loving upbringing for their children. This approach helps in laying a solid foundation for effective co-parenting, allowing your family to thrive even after the divorce.
By focusing on collaborative solutions, we can develop a parenting plan that truly reflects the best interests of your children, ensuring they feel supported and loved through the transition and beyond.
For a future where your child thrives, let’s work together to craft a parenting plan that places their well-being at the forefront. Contact me to ensure their best interests are protected during and after your divorce.