Raleigh, North Carolina Family Law Attorneys – Wake County Child Custody Lawyers – Client Profile

Charles R. Ullman & Associates understands that few issues in divorce create such a painful and confusing time among parents and children as when child custody arrangements are being negotiated.

Child custody refers to the collection of responsibilities and rights parents have regarding their children’s general welfare, authority, religion, education and health care. Spouses may settle custody and visitation issues out of court through a private agreement, which is the most often used and preferred method.

Custody may also be settled out of court by a parenting agreement or consent order that is later approved by a judge.

The challenge in negotiating private custody agreements is developing a mutually agreed-upon, practical arrangement that allows each parent to maintain a consistent relationship while raising their child. Until the court rules on such an agreement, each parent has equal rights to physical custody of the child.

In cases where custody is contested, the court must make a determination to “promote the best interests and welfare of the child”. The best interest of the child is the “polar star” by which courts should guide decisions about custody.

In making a determination, the judge will consider a parent’s past and present conduct, and whether evidence supports his or her custody claim. It must be demonstrated that a parent’s behavior and abilities will enhance the child’s overall welfare better than the other spouse’s. Other factors taken into consideration include:

Physical, mental, emotional, moral and religious factors
The child’s preference
Each parent’s caretaking ability
Each parent’s home environment
Each parent’s availability to the child
Each parent’s economic situation and potential
The child’s bonding with other siblings
Other factors that illustrate what is best for the child

North Carolina statutes show no preference to either a mother or father in custody matters. The court may award equal custody (joint custody) to both parties, or give primary custody to one parent (sole custody) and visitation privileges to the other. Joint physical custody can be an equal sharing of time between parents and requires the greatest amount of cooperation. There is also joint legal custody, which deals with how decisions are made for the child.

Charles R. Ullman & Associates provides specialized legal experience in the following areas:

Child Custody	Stepparents’ Rights	Child Abuse	Paternity Suits
Grandparents’ Rights
Locations served include:
Wake County	Johnson County	Raleigh	Durham
Cary	Clayton	Selma	Benson
Four Oaks	Kenly	Micro	Middlesex
Pine Level	Princeton	Smithfield	Wilson’s Mills