On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Thursday, May 16, 2019.
Missouri is trying to ensure that progress continues to be made when it comes to families that reside within the state. A new bill, which supporters hope will soon be made a law, revolves around how courts handle child custody. Currently, it is not against the norm for one parent to have more custody than the other, but many parents insist such policy is unfair.
Under the new bill, 50/50 custody would become the norm, unless the court is made aware of a legitimate reason that a child would be better off spending most of his or her time with one parent. A judge will now have a list of criteria to consider. If each parent can meet a child’s needs, 50/50 custody will become the status quo.
It is noted that if two parents, for whatever reason, decide on their own that a different custody plan that varies from a 50/50 schedule is appropriate, a hearing will not need to be held. This may be helpful if parents do not live near each other, or if one frequently travels out of town for work. The new bill aims to ensure that Missouri children have the opportunity to maintain a solid relationship with both parents as they learn and grow.
If a Missouri parent is facing a child custody issue, he or she may wonder how best to proceed. In many cases, a parent needing to establish, modify or enforce a child custody order may do well to contact an experienced attorney. An attorney can help a client become familiar with the legal process, and stand by a parent’s side in court as he or she fights for the right to a relationship with his or her child.
