Protecting Your Rights and Your Child's Best Interests
Nearly all parents want to spend as much time with their children as possible. And except in the most extreme circumstances, children benefit from having a meaningful, ongoing relationship with both parents.
Child custody and visitation arrangements should be fair to both parents and to the children. If you are involved in a dispute over custody or visitation rights, a knowledgeable, diligent lawyer can help make sure you reach the arrangement that is best for your family.
Attorney Bryson D. Perkins provides professional, detail-oriented, cost-effective legal service. He works one-on-one with each client and he personally handles every aspect of each case. For an initial consultation, call 208.454.8578 or contact the office online.
Determining Child Custody
When a judge determines child custody, the primary consideration is the "best interests of the child." The State of Idaho believes that children are best served when:
- They are allowed "continuing and frequent contact" with both parents.
- They live with the parent who has been their primary caretaker.
- They live with a parent whose work schedule doesn't keep them from providing care.
- They live with a parent who will make sure they get to school on time.
- They are protected from parents who are abusive, who abuse drugs and alcohol, or who get in trouble with the law.
In most cases, one parent is granted primary custody, while the other parent receives visitation rights.
Informal Custody Trials in Idaho
Idaho has begun a new program where custody and visitation arrangements can be worked out with a judge at an informal trial. At an Informal Custody Trial, the normal court rules are suspended and the parents essentially have an unstructured conversation with the judge. The parents are free to say anything they want, and the judge gains greater insight into what would be best for the children.
Trials are not always necessary, however. More often than not, parents can work together to craft their own custody arrangement.
Perkins Law PLLC is located in Caldwell, Idaho and serves clients throughout Boise and the Treasure Valley. To schedule an initial consultation, call today: 208.454.8578 or contact the office online.