Child Custody Information & Resources

Trying to work out a custody arrangement is often difficult. With so many decisions to make and things to consider, it's vital that you have access to the best custody information possible. The following is a great place to start.

Creating a comprehensive custody agreement with Custody X Change

Your custody agreement (also called a parenting plan) is a document that you'll have to follow until your child reaches adulthood. It should be detailed and include as many stipulations as you can think of. The more details you have, the better your parenting plan will be.

Include anything you believe is relevant and worth including.

Some things you will want to cover in your custody agreement are:

• The type of custody each parent shall have
• A schedule that dictates when your child will spend time with each parent
• A delegation of parental rights, responsibilities and decision-making authority
• A method for dispute resolution
• A method for revising the plan without having to return to court
• Any provisions or stipulations you would like to include

Custody X Change's custody agreement template makes it easy to create a thorough plan. Our software asks you all the right questions so you won't leave anything out of your custody agreement. It also provides you with multiple options to choose from, and there is plenty of room to add in anything else you would like to include.

The result is a professional looking document that is organized and easy to read. You will be sure to impress the judge, the mediator and even your ex when you hand them your Custody X Change parenting plan.

Creating a child visitation schedule with Custody X Change

You will need to include a child visitation schedule as part of your custody agreement. Where do you start? You can get out a notebook and a calendar and start crossing out dates — or you can make it easier on yourself and use Custody X Change.

With Custody X Change, you can choose from a variety of preloaded schedules, and make changes until it meets your child's needs. You may also start from scratch. You choose the dates and times your child will be with each parent, and then you can set the calendar to repeat the cycle throughout the year. You can easily make changes or modifications, too.

After you have decided on a regular schedule, you may go through the program and divide up the holidays as you choose. You can also add one-time special events, recurring special events and vacation days that are different from the ordinary schedule.

All of this is outlined in a clear calendar form so it is easy to see the layout.

Each parent's days are shaded a different color so it is easy to tell when the child is with what parent. You can even choose the pick-up and drop-off times for all the days of visitation. You can print out the calendar for the month, the entire year or even years in advance.

Custody X Change also calculates the time-share percentage and overnight percentage that each parent has with the children. This is helpful for parents when calculating child support or seeking an order modification.

How to find the specific custody laws for your state

Every state has laws child custody laws. You can find them by searching through your state's legislation for the family "statutes" or "code".

Sometimes, it can be quite challenging to find the specific information you are looking for within the law. It's even harder to make sense of all the legal language. Custody X Change publishes location-based child custody guides to summarize laws, court procedures and more in easy to understand terms.

Using local resources to learn more about family laws in your state

There are typically local resources available that can help you such as:

• The Bar Association. Your state's bar association may have a program where you can meet with lawyers who occasionally answer legal questions free of charge and provide free legal advice.
• Legal Aid. Low- to moderate-income families may qualify to receive free legal advice and assistance from local Legal Aid groups.
• Domestic Violence programs. If domestic violence is a factor in your custody case, you may want to contact local organizations that might offer you some assistance.
• Father's Rights Organizations. If you are a dad in need of legal assistance, there may be local organizations that can help and offer advice.
• Pamphlets and other literature. Some states publish pamphlets and online guides to give parents information regarding family law. Check your local court's website and your local courthouse to find out if anything like this exists in your area.

Of course, you can always consult with a lawyer if you really need help. Some lawyers even offer free consultations.

A summary of child custody laws

Each state has different laws regarding child custody and visitation, but there are a few things that are universal:

• There are two basic types of custody. Legal custody involves parental rights and responsibilities. Physical custody involves the physical care of the child and where the child shall live. Your state might use different terms for custody.
• Parents will either share custody or one parent may have sole custody.
• Custody decisions are based on the best interests of the child.
• A parenting agreement or custody arrangement is a part of every child custody case.
• A child visitation schedule is an important parent of the custody arrangements.
• Once a court order has been issued, you are legally obligated to follow it until it is modified by agreement of both parties or the court.
• Child custody is both a right AND a responsibility.
• A child custody order made in one state will be honored in all other states unless and until it is modified.
• The court will make every effort to protect the child from harmful circumstances such as neglect, abuse, domestic violence and substance abuse.
• Most states do not consider the gender of a parent when making a ruling on child custody. Instead, the courts evaluate the merits or the case and use only relevant information when making a decision.

The easiest way to make a custody agreement

Creating a custody agreement on your own can feel overwhelming. You have to address all possible situations, while using airtight legal language.

Use technology to take the guesswork out of the equation. The Custody X Change app walks you through each step of creating an agreement.

You can customize this with Custody X Change.

The result will be a professional document that demonstrates your competence as a parent and secures your child's future.

Try this with Custody X Change.

The easiest and most reliable way to make a custody agreement is with Custody X Change.