How is child custody determined in Alabama?

How is child custody determined in Alabama?

In Alabama, child custody is decided based on the best interests of the children. When you make a decision that affects the minor children, ask yourself if that decision is in their best interests. If the decision is not in the best interests of the children, then don’t do it.

Can unmarried father take child from mother in Alabama?

In some states, the mother will be automatically granted custody of a child if the parents are unmarried. The state of Alabama, however, typically holds the opinion that joint custody is in the best interests of the child and will usually grant both parents custody.

What do judges look at in custody cases?

The judge can consider all those things that might impinge on the development of the child’s physical, mental, emotional, moral, and spiritual faculties. In considering the child’s developmental needs, the judge will take into account: a child’s age into. the mental and physical well-being (or lack of it) of each …

Do you have to pay child support if you have joint custody in Alabama?

In any divorce, Alabama family courts award custody of the children to one or both parents. Custody is divided into legal custody and physical custody. The physical custody designation does not have any impact on the child support formulas. Overall, joint physical custody is rare in Alabama divorce situations.

At what age can a child decide which parent to live with in Al?

§ 19-9-3, (5)-(6), in all custody cases in which the child has reached the age of 14 years, the child shall have the right to select the parent with whom he or she desires to live.

Is split custody a good idea?

Although critics of shared parenting concede that children whose parents share physical custody enjoy many advantages, they reason that these children do better because their parents have more money and less conflict, not because their children spend nearly equal time with each parent.

Will joint custody lower child support?

Yes. Joint custody doesn’t negate a child support obligation. Even if both parents share custody on an equal basis, one parent will inevitably owe some amount in child support. So even if the child spends equal time with each parent, the parent with the higher income will owe child support.

Why do I pay child support when I have joint custody?

The short answer is: yes. Shared parenting arrangements that include joint physical custody do not negate child support obligations between parents. When one parent has sole physical custody, typically the other parent will be responsible for making child support payments.

Why is child support so unfair?

Why is child support so unfair to fathers Child support is built on the presumption that one parent (mothers) care for the children while another (father) pays for them. This shoehorns men and women into sexist roles, with men forced to be the breadwinner.

How far apart can parents live and still have 50/50 custody?

Rule of thumb is parents need to live within 20 miles of each other. Generally in cases involving parents that live more than 20 miles apart there’s usually a primary physical custodial parent because more than 20 miles just becomes too difficult to have the children going between two homes 50 percent of the time.

How many nights a year is shared care?

Shared care 128 to 237 nights a year.

What’s the difference between joint custody and 50 50?

Joint physical custody is not necessarily 50/50. Joint physical custody requires a lot of logistical coordination. Joint physical custody is less stable over time than sole physical custody. Joint physical custody apparently works only for a minority of families.