Child Custody

Experienced Child Custody Lawyers

UNDERSTANDING HOW CHILD CUSTODY WORKS IN CONNECTICUT

Due to the complexity and emotional nature of child custody and child support cases, it is crucial to have experienced legal representation from a skilled lawyer for child custody. Connecticut Family Law Group is a leading child custody law firm serving Fairfield, Hartford, and New Haven Counties.  We have offices in New Canaan, Stamford, Hartford, and New Haven.

At Connecticut Family Law Group, we have experience in dealing with child custody cases to assist you in protecting your custody interests during divorce or in a dispute between grandparents, custodial parents, or unmarried parents in CT. We take the time to understand each unique situation and develop an appropriate solution to protect your custody interests and the related issue of child support.

As experienced child custody lawyers in CT, we know that every family is unique. Our lawyers understand what the court considers when determining child custody. That's why we take the time to listen to your concerns and develop a personalized strategy that meets your specific needs. Our child custody attorneys are well-versed in Connecticut family law and can help you understand your rights and options.

If you're searching for Connecticut family law attorneys, contact Connecticut Family Law Group today at (203) 541-5520. We are here to help you with all of your legal needs.

Child Custody and Visitation Law Factors in Connecticut

Child Custody disputes in Connecticut are governed by Connecticut General Statute § 46b-56(c), which provides: “In making or modifying any order as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the court shall consider the best interests of the child, and in doing so may consider, but shall not be limited to, one or more of the following factors:

• The temperament and developmental needs of the child;
• The capacity and the disposition of the parents to understand and meet the needs of the child;
• Any relevant and material information obtained from the child, including the informed preferences of the child;
• The wishes of the child’s parents as to custody;
• The past and current interaction and relationship of the child with each parent, the child’s siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the best interests of the child;
• The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a such continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent as is appropriate, including compliance with any court orders;
• Any manipulation by or coercive behavior of the parents in an effort to involve the child in the parents’ dispute;
• The ability of each parent to be actively involved in the life of the child;
• The child’s adjustment to his or her home, school, and community environments;
• The length of time that the child has lived in a stable and satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity in such environment, provided the court may consider favorably a parent who voluntarily leaves the child’s family home pendent lite in order to alleviate stress in the household;
• The stability of the child’s existing or proposed residences, or both;
• The mental and physical health of all individuals involved, except that a disability of a proposed custodial parent or another party, in and of itself, shall not be determinative of custody unless the proposed custodial arrangement is not in the best interests of the child;
• The child’s cultural background;
• The effect on the child of the actions of an abuser, if any domestic violence has occurred between the parents or between a parent and another individual or the child;
• Whether the child or a sibling of the child has been abused or neglected;
• Whether the party satisfactorily completes participation in a parenting education program.

At Connecticut Family Law Group, we understand that child custody is one of the most sensitive and emotionally challenging aspects of family law in CT and anywhere in the world. Our Connecticut child custody lawyers are dedicated to helping you navigate the legal system in the state of CT and achieve the best possible outcome for your family.

If you're looking for a CT family law attorney, look no further than Connecticut Family Law Group. You can view our lawyer profiles online and find out more about our areas of family law practice.

We understand that it's not always possible to come to our office for a consultation. That's why we offer virtual consultations via phone or email. We want to make sure that you have access to quality legal counsel, no matter where you are located.

Are you in need of professional legal help?

Don't hesitate to contact McConnell Family Law. We have helped many people in the same situations that you may be in. We take every individual circumstance very seriously and promise to contact you very quickly. We understand that no two cases are the same. We have offices in Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield Counties as well as have the ability to schedule one on one consultations in our satellite offices.

Call Now (203) 344-7762

Physical and Legal Custody of Children in Connecticut

Child custody in Connecticut involves various aspects related to the upbringing of a child. In the state of Connecticut, it's possible for a parent to be granted legal custody without being awarded joint custody. Conversely, parents may jointly hold both physical and legal custody of their children. Understanding the legal implications of a judge's decision on custody, or the terms of your own divorce settlement agreement related to custody, is crucial. 

Custody Type	Description
Physical Custody	Refers to the parent with whom the child predominantly resides.
Joint Physical Custody	Child spends a significant amount of time living with each parent, although the duration does not have to be equal.
Sole Physical Custody	Child primarily lives with one parent and has limited visitation with the other parent.
Legal Custody	Refers to the authority a parent possesses to make significant decisions concerning the child’s well-being, including educational, medical, and religious matters.
Joint Legal Custody	Allows both parents to share decision-making authority regarding the child’s well-being, even if one parent has sole physical custody.
Sole Legal Custody	One parent has the sole authority to make significant decisions regarding the child’s well-being.

Connecticut Physical Custody

Physical custody refers to the parent with whom the child predominantly resides. Parents can have shared physical custody (also known as "joint physical custody"), which means the child spends a significant amount of time living with each parent, though the duration doesn't necessarily have to be equal. For instance, in a joint physical custody arrangement in Connecticut, a child might reside four nights per week at one parent's home and the remaining three nights at the other's.

"Sole physical custody" is a situation where the child primarily lives with one parent and has limited visitation with the other. A parent in Connecticut seeking sole custody might contend that it offers enhanced stability and safety for the child. Regardless of whether it's a joint or sole physical custody scenario, one parent will be designated as the "primary custodial parent."

This custodial parent retains the authority to make final decisions regarding the child's extracurricular activities, medical needs, or education when consensus cannot be reached. The other parent is referred to as the "noncustodial parent." Under Connecticut's visitation laws, the noncustodial parent is entitled to a certain minimum amount of time spent with the child.

Connecticut Legal Custody

Legal custody refers to the authority a parent possesses to make significant decisions concerning the child's well-being, including educational, medical, and religious matters. In Connecticut, the preference is generally toward joint legal custody, allowing both parents to share in this decision-making authority. Even when one parent is granted sole physical custody, the court often confers joint legal custody. Exceptions to this rule occur when circumstances dictate that such an arrangement would be unfeasible or pose a risk to the child's safety.

The type of custody granted depends significantly on the specific circumstances of the case.

Getting the help of an experienced Connecticut child custody attorney can help you secure a favorable outcome. Contact Connecticut Family Law Group today at (203) 541-5520 to schedule a consultation about your child custody case. 

Schedule a Consultation with a Custody Lawyer in Connecticut Today

At Connecticut Family Law Group, we have a proven track record of handling complex legal cases, including child custody disputes, legal custody, and visitation. We strive to help parents reach agreements that are in the best interests of their children. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and litigators, and we will fight to protect your rights as a parent.

Connecticut Family Law Group has experience in dealing with difficult cases, including those involving domestic physical and emotional abuse and cases when parents have violated court orders. No matter how complicated, serious, or emotionally charged your situation is, Connecticut Family Law Group has the experience and dedication to assist you. Our offices are located in Fairfield, New Haven and Hartford counties. Contact us today at (203) 541-5520 to schedule a consultation.