Child Custody Lawyers
When considering issues of custody, guardianship, access and parenting the Courts will focus specifically on what is in the best interests of the children. Determining what is in a child’s best interest may be complex and is highly fact specific. Generally the Court’s encourage children to have regular contact with both parents; however, depending on the circumstances this may not always be achievable or desirable. People often do not realize that the different terms relating to children (such as custody and access) have specific meanings.
Child Custody & Parenting – How it Works
When most people hear the term “child custody” they think that it refers to who the child or children will live with. Child custody and parenting time are actually two separate concepts. Custody describes a decision-making authority with respect to a child. The decisions involved can include medical and dental care, religious upbringing, education, daily activities and where the child lives. Parents may agree to joint custody, where they share making all major decisions about the child. When parents have joint custody of a child, it does not necessarily mean that the child lives with each them half of the time. When a parent has sole custody of a child, that parent is able to make decisions for the child without the other parent’s consent.
Access/Parenting Time
The time a parent spends with a child is called “access”, in the Divorce Act, or “Parenting Time”, in the Family Law Act.
Guardianship
Under the Family Law Act, guardianship refers to the parent who is responsible for making day to day decisions for the child and is responsible for the child’s well being. Similar to custody, a guardian has the ability to make decisions about medical care, education, where the child lives and who the child can associate with.
In some circumstances the Court may determine that neither parent is able to properly care for the child. In this situation the Court may appoint a third party to do so. This may be a family member or friend. In extreme situations when Child and Family Services is involved, the Court may order that the director of Child and Family Services has guardianship rights. This can be on a temporary or permanent basis.
Contact
Contact refers to communication with, or time spent with a child, by a person who is not a guardian. People who are not guardians do not have decision making authority with respect to the child. This is usually a grandparent or someone who previously stood in the place of a parent such as a former step parent. The court may also allow other people to apply for contact with a child.
[Janet] thanks for letting me know of your retirement… I’m sad to see you go but hope for your rest and enjoyment for all you’ve done for my family and others… With all my thanks I want to express all my appreciation for all you’ve done for us and all the grief it was to deal with! You were the right fit.
I write this review based on my experience when working with Stacey Lee as my legal representative. Simply put, Stacey is attentive (or vigilant if you prefer), knowledgeable, professional, fair, and personable. It was important for me to have someone that was responsive and competent. I never waited more than 24 hours for a reply and am very happy with the resulting agreement that was created, as it represented a solution that was best for all parties involved – which was important to me. Stacey likes to say I was the ideal client, but the reality is that she was the ideal representative, providing legal advice, while keeping me abreast of the big picture. Based on my experience with Stacey, I highly recommend her.
From the moment we met, Janet had not only a business approach to my situation but also a level of compassion and friendliness. I’ve worked now with Janet for years and not one time did she fail to meet my expectations. I have always felt at ease just hearing her voice. If she didn’t have the answer immediately, she has always provided one promptly. She has been my Rock and Sounding Board. I’ve referred her to others. If anyone is in need of a GREAT family lawyer, Janet Russell in my view is the lady to contact.
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