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The length of time varies based on the type of adoption and any adoption preferences, such as the child’s age, which can impact how long you’re on a waitlist. For instance, some adoptive parents wait for two or more years before being matched with a healthy infant....

The adoption process allows an adult to become the legal parent of a child who is not biologically their own. An adoptive parent accepts full custody and is legally responsible for the child’s support costs and obligations. As part of the process, the biological...

If possible, prepare a plan in advance for situations when the military parent is deployed or transferred. Establishing a set contingency plan can help reduce stress on all parties involved. In many states, a custodial parent who is deployed for military duty may ask...

An incarcerated parent can’t have custody of a child. Additionally, visitation rights may also be temporarily suspended. The court typically decides what happens with custody and visitation rights once the individual is released from jail. For instance, a judge may...

The safety and stability of the living situation are important considerations when judges make decisions about custody, especially physical custody. The judge needs to ensure that the child is in a safe environment. Browse more family law articles.

Courts will consider a history of domestic violence when deciding custody and visitation. Domestic violence can contribute to significant difficulties in communication between parents and raise safety issues for either a parent, the child, or both. These factors can...

You’ll want to present information to help the judge make a decision. Typical information you’ll want to gather includes: Copies of communication and correspondence with your child’s other parent, such as texts and emails Income information, such as paystubs and tax...

A child custody hearing occurs if parents cannot agree on their own or through mediation. A judge oversees the custody hearing and makes the decisions after hearing all the evidence. This is a formal proceeding. So rules of evidence apply, and witnesses will be sworn...

Visitation or parenting time lets a parent visit with their child. The court can set the specifics of the visitation, including how often visits happen, where visits take place, and if visits need to be supervised. Visitation Rights Visitation rights are not the same...

There are many different types of child custody arrangements. However, two common types of custody are sole and joint. Sole Custody Sole legal custody occurs when only one of the parents has full responsibility for making major decisions for the child, such as medical...