Parents should have evidence that portrays their relationship with a child in a positive light.
Portland, OR – If parents have custody issues because of a divorce or a paternity test, they should be prepared to attend a custody hearing or reach a settlement. Some general knowledge of these rules is helpful, and it’s also important that each parent hire their own attorney to prepare based on their personal situation. The most important thing to remember is that all parents must demonstrate that they are capable of providing their children with a safe, positive environment in which to grow up and that they have already made an investment in their children’s education.
An agreement between the parents is an advantage
If the parents can agree on their custody arrangement, that is the best outcome in most cases. They can create their own parenting plan and simply have it made legally binding by the judge in charge of the case. Less time and money will be spent in court, and parents will be less likely to have conflicts if they have already agreed on an arrangement that works for both of them.
Some Oregon counties actually force parents to try to reach an agreement through an arbitration session before a judge gets involved.
The welfare of the child
woman throwing happy child in the air; Image by Thiago Cerqueira, via Unsplash.com.
When planning a custody hearing, parents should be aware of the child’s best interests standard. This is used by judges in almost every state including Oregon. These factors may include how the child is raised, what parents can provide in terms of resources, health and safety, keeping the child away from an abusive parent, or domestic violence issues. Judges also tend to emphasize community ties and minimize disruptions such as moving or changing schools. Unlike many other states, Oregon does not allow the child to control their living arrangements or the parent they choose to stay with.
Parents should have evidence that presents their relationship with a child in a positive light, but the judge ultimately has discretion to consider a number of factors to determine the best interests of the child.
In custody cases, there are no presumptions
The judge will use the principle of the best interest to guide his decision based on the available evidence. No parent is given preferential treatment in any way, and it is not believed that either a mother or father should have more custody.
Learn more about child custody issues in Oregon
USAttorneys.com contains a directory of child custody attorneys in Portland, as well as legal professionals practicing in other areas of law. Anyone can search the directory to find a local attorney and get help.
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