Going through a separation or divorce, or leaving an abusive relationship, is not easy. Your life is disrupted, and if you have children, their lives are disrupted, too. If you have children, the legal, financial, and emotional issues are even more complicated. It is a stressful time for children.
The Custody and Visitation section has information about how the law deals with child custody and visitation. It will help you think through the legal issues you will need to consider to resolve questions such as:
Where will the children live?
Whom will they live with?
Who will make important decisions about their lives?
How can the children have contact with the parent they are not living with?
If the parents cannot agree on how to resolve these questions, they can go to court, and the judge will decide about custody and visitation. This section has information about how judges make these decisions.
When you use this information, it is very important to remember that every case is different. This information is very general. It is not a substitute for individual legal advice.
If you need advice about how to proceed in your particular situation, especially if both parents do not agree about ending the relationship, or if you are trying to leave an abusive relationship, you should talk to a lawyer.
