If you are stuck in a recent divorce in Boston, we can understand that you still aren’t well-versed with the legal jargon surrounding divorce. However, there is nothing to worry about as it is very common, and with time, you will have a better grasp of it. While it is true that there is no need to understand these terms if you are hiring a divorce lawyer (as he or she will most likely take care of the job for you), it is still a good idea to stay prepared. Meanwhile, if you have any other doubts, a lawyer at a family law Newburyport firm may be able to help. Without any further ado, let’s take a look:
Child custody:
The word is probably the most used when it comes to divorces. Now, the first thing you need to understand is that there are two kinds of child custody:
- Legal custody: Legal custody is when the parent or guardian is able to make decisions about the child’s education, religion, and medical care.
- Physical custody: Physical custody determines with which parent the child can live.
In terms of who gets custody, it is basically the court’s decision, which is made based on a number of factors. Sometimes parents may be given shared or sole custody, keeping in mind the best interests of the child.
In some cases, the parents may also be given mixed custody. Shared legal but sole physical custody.
Parenting time:
Another name for parenting time is visitation. As the same in itself suggests, it suggests how much time a parent gets to spend with the child while he or she is visiting.
This is, of course, not applicable to the parent with whom the child lives but to the other parent who doesn’t have physical custody or mixed custody.
Child support:
Child support is the payment or money that one parent pays to another with whom the child is living to support him. The child support money usually covers things like medical, educational, and living costs. Remember that the court orders that are there generally follow child support guidelines, but they can also vary depending on the situation.
Final thought:
If you have any doubts about how these things apply to your case in particular or need help with them, a personal injury lawyer in Boston will be able to help with that.
