Thomas C. McDowell

n. a court's determination of which parent, relative or other adult should have physical and/or legal control and responsibility for a minor (child) under 18. Child custody can be decided by a local court in a divorce or if a child, relative, close friend or state agency questions whether one or both parents is unfit, absent, dead, in prison or dangerous to the child's well-being. In such cases custody can be awarded to a grandparent, relative, a foster parent, an orphanage, ect.

n. court-ordered funds to be paid by one parent to the custodial parent of a minor child after divorce (dissolution) or separation. Usually the dollar amounts are based on the income of both parents, the number of children, the expenses of the custodial parent, and any special needs of the child. In many states or locales the amount is determined by a chart which factors in all these figures. It may also include health plan coverage, school tuition or other expenses.

We have worked on many paternity cases where individuals were never married but had children and are looking to establish parenting time, support, ect. Many Divorce cases as well, where individuals are trying to settle on an agreement with the respective opposing party as to what support, division of property, parenting time, ect. will be. We also have had much practice with Adoptions, including step-parent adoptions and foster parent adoptions, and Grandparent Rights/Visitation.

This is a divorce where both parties are in agreement with the separation and the division of property, parenting time, support, ect.