Skilled Parental Rights And Responsibilities Lawyers In Barre, Vermont
While going through a divorce in Vermont, one of the biggest concerns parents have to deal with is the outcome of the court’s parental rights and responsibilities (PR&R) order or “child custody order.” To help ensure you can achieve the outcome you are looking for, you need the support of an experienced family law attorney.
We know exactly what kind of impact these legal concerns can have on you and your children’s future. At Green Mountain Family Law, our dedicated child custody lawyers have over 30 years of combined experience, passionately helping families across Barre, Vermont, and Washington County navigate their parental rights and responsibilities cases with confidence and peace of mind. When you collaborate with us on your case, we will guide you through the entire process and help protect your rights and your children’s best interests.
How Vermont Courts Decide Custody
The court will base its decisions about custody by prioritizing the “best interests” of the child. These criteria include:
- The child’s connection to their home, school and community
- The child’s personal contact and relationship with each parent
- The child’s age and maturity to address their preferences
- Each parent’s physical and mental capability to care for their child
- Any evidence of abuse or neglect from either parent
By considering these key factors, a judge can determine the best type of custody arrangement that can help secure the child’s safety and well-being, which provides the child with the stability and predictability they need to adjust and thrive in their new living situation.
Legal Responsibilities Versus Physical Responsibilities
Parents sometimes feel surprised when they discover two separate kinds of rights and responsibilities to consider in these situations: legal and physical. Legal rights and responsibilities are for making major decisions for the child such as:
- Which school they attend
- What religion they practice
- Which doctor and dentist they go to
Normally, the Vermont courts prefer that legal rights and responsibilities are shared with both parents but will award it to one or the other if the parents cannot agree.
Physical rights and responsibilities refer to where the child will live and are subject to the schedule the parents establish during their divorce (or separation when the parents are unmarried). The schedule you create determines your “parent-child contact,” which many call visitation. Parent-child contact is not dependent on child support.
Our goal is to help you obtain the arrangement you are looking for as easily as possible. Our founder, attorney Amy K. Butler, can guide you through the mediation process, which can offer faster and personalized solutions, but only if both parents are willing to work together.
Connect With Our Vermont Parental Rights And Responsibilities Lawyers Today
To seek dependable legal support and attentive guidance for your parental rights and responsibilities case in Vermont, you may call our Barre office today at 802-858-8152 or send us an email to arrange an initial consultation with one of our dedicated child custody attorneys. We serve individuals and families throughout Central Vermont.