If you are going through a breakup and have concerns about child custody, you are not alone. While there are many ways to share custody and co-parent, you may first need to undergo the legitimation process to establish parental rights and create a custody plan that works for you and your children. The information below can help you better understand the legitimation process and the steps you can take to create a custody agreement that works for everyone.
Legitimation and child custody basics
In this state, if you and your former partner were not married, you will both need to file a voluntary declaration agreeing that a father-child relationship exists and is legitimate and legal. After the legitimation has taken place, the father can then have custody or visitation.
It is important to note that child custody comprises a few different elements. Physical custody refers to which parent your children will live with primarily. Legal custody refers to which parent has the legal ability to make decisions about your children’s lives, such as schools, medical treatment and religion.
How to handle custody issues
Usually, the best outcome in child custody arrangements is to have open and honest communication with your former partner. Working together for the benefit of your children can provide them with an opportunity to see that you are working toward a healthy and happy outcome for all involved. Moreover, working with your former partner can help eliminate issues further along in the process as you can work out any problems surrounding holidays or work schedules.
If you are having difficulty, you may want to work with a mediator or an attorney who focuses on child custody. Child custody attorneys are knowledgeable in the area of family law, so they may be able to help you reach an amicable agreement with your former partner to raise your children in a co-parent fashion.
Working toward a sustainable child custody solution can be challenging even in the best situations. However, with legal help and great communication, you can better facilitate a child custody agreement that works for the whole family.
