(801) 254-9450 When parents separate or divorce, one of the most important questions is who will make major life decisions for their children. Legal child custody in Heber City determines which parent has the authority to make those decisions. If you find yourself in this position, you should seek the support of skilled legal counsel to protect your rights. At Carr | Woodall, we understand how high the stakes are during custody disputes. Let our dedicated child custody attorneys help you protect your relationship with your child.
Legal child custody gives a parent in Heber City the authority to make major decisions affecting a child’s health, education, safety, and overall well-being. These are the most important decisions in a child’s life, and they can shape the future of your entire family. Legal custody generally includes the authority to make decisions regarding:
Legal custody does not mean control over everyday parenting decisions, however. This is important to remember, as it can prevent one party from overstepping during the other’s parenting time. Each parent generally makes routine decisions while the child is in that parent’s care, such as bedtime, meals, homework, and daily activities.
Judges in Heber City have some leeway in how they divide legal child custody. In general, they will either award both parents joint legal custody or give one party sole custody. Working with our attorneys could help ensure you arrive at a fair and workable custody arrangement that is in your children’s best interests.
Joint legal custody allows both parents to participate in making major decisions for their child, with neither parent having greater authority simply because the child spends more time in one home. Joint legal custody does not require parents to agree on every issue immediately, but it does require both parents to work through decisions together. Parents can share joint legal custody even when one party has primary physical custody of the child.
Sole legal custody gives one parent the authority to make major decisions without obtaining the other parent’s approval. While the courts will not award sole custody simply because the parties cannot get along, a judge will take this step if they believe it is best for the children. Usually, the courts prefer shared custody as long as neither parent represents a threat to the children.
Judges in Heber City decide legal custody issues using one standard: the best interest of the child. The courts do not presume that one parent should receive custody based on gender, income, or any other single characteristic. Instead, judges review the evidence and determine which custody arrangement will best support the child’s safety, stability, emotional health, and long-term development.
The court evaluates many different factors when making this decision. These factors often include:
When appropriate, the court may also consider the child’s own preferences if the child is mature enough to express a reasoned opinion.
If you have questions about legal child custody in Heber City, our attorneys are here to guide you through the process and fight for your rights as a parent. At Carr | Woodall, we are prepared to help you understand how child custody works and what to expect from your court hearings. Call today for a private consultation.