Child Custody & Support
| Legal Custody versus Physical Custody |
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| There is a large difference between legal custody of a child and physical custody. That difference is based on the right to make the major decisions affecting the child. The parent with legal custody has the right to make those decisions. More... |
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| Emergency Jurisdiction Issues in Child Custody Proceedings |
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| Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) and the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA), a court may exercise jurisdiction when it is necessary to protect a child, the child's parent, or the child's sibling.
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| Who May Seek Child Support Payments on Behalf of a Child? |
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| An order for child support may be entered in connection with a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, maintenance, or child support. A court considers many factors including the financial resources of the custodial parent and the noncustodial parent. The order can require either parent or both parents to pay child support. Parents are equally responsible for the support of the children. Child support consists of a combination of periodic monetary support, the maintenance of health care insurance for the benefit of children, the payment of educational expenses of children, and the provision of various forms of security for support to protect against the payer's death, disability, or voluntary nonpayment. One parent can sue another parent in civil court for child support. More... |
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| Preference of Child in Custody Determinations |
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| In awarding or modifying custody, one of the factors considered by a court is the preference of a child, However, the extent to which the court will consider an expressed wish and how much weight the court will give that wish depends on the age and maturity of the child and the circumstances under which the choice was made. More... |
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| Parent Locator Services for Child Support Collection |
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| The federal Parent Locator Service is available to help locate the parent of a child in order to establish a child support obligation and to collect past due amounts. More... |
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