How Child Custody is Changing in Family Court
In a recent Newsweek article, it has been reported that over the past few years, child custody has changed across the country in family court. Twenty years ago, it was almost unheard for a father to have custody of the children. It was basically the standard that a father would have visitation every other weekend, unless the court determined by preponderance of the evidence that one parent was unfit. However, it is clear that child custody laws in South Carolina and in other states are changing, conforming with modern times. Today, fathers are receiving more visitation and rights, and joint custody is becoming very popular in family law cases.
Joint custody was once very rare, only granted in cases in which both parties were in agreement pushed for it. According to the article, joint custody is becoming more popular across the country. Some parents going through a divorce are even opting for joint physical and legal cusody. In these situations, the parties equally share in custody of the children, 50/50. However, the parents in these cases will have to live close to eachother to make this work, due to the fact that the children will be spending several nights a week with both parents.
Joint custody has become very popular in South Carolina as well. However, most child custody cases are settled between the parties, only five percent (5%) actually go to trial. In South Carolina, a guardian ad litem is appointed to represent the children. Usually psychologists are also asked to submit evaluations of both parents and the children.
Also, as reported in the article, most father's are receiving more visitation when they do not receive primary physical custody in South Carolina. For example, a father may have visitation every ther weekend, plus one dinner or overnight visit a week. In will be interesing to see how child custody laws continue to change with modern times.
If you are seeking a divorce and have children, child custody issues will be a central aspect of your divorce. It is important to hire an experienced family law attorney in myrtle beach, south carolina. The Mace Firm handles child custody cases in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Georgetown and Conway.
