Arizona Child Custody - Parenting Time

In January of 2013, Arizona changed the Child Custody law by dividing custody into two separate areas known as Parenting Time and LegalDecision Making.  Parenting Time is the focus of this article and is the area that dictates visitation between a parent and a child.  Arizona courts have focused on making rulings that provide equal and meaningful visitation between parents and children because they feel this is in the best interests of the child.  Without just cause that proves there is a danger to the emotional, physical, mental or moral welfare of the child then Arizona typically rules in favor of equal parenting time.  Working with an Arizona Child Custody Attorney, or an Arizona Divorce Attorney that is experienced with Child Custody, is the best possible advice that I can provide you so that you can insure that you are doing everything in your power to protect your rights.

There are three basic types of rulings that courts hand down when facing Parenting Time decisions.  One parent has full physical custody of the child without the other parent having any visitation, one parent has full physical custody and the other parent will have limited or supervised visitation and finally the court can hand down a decision that involves parents sharing equal parenting.  The court can require parents who have major conflicts to attend ongoing counseling to help resolve their conflicts if equal parenting time is ordered.  Another requirement of the court in the case of parents who cannot come to a mutual conclusion about Parenting Time is that each parent must submit a parenting plan to the court that is in compliance with Arizona Revised Statute 25-403.02.

There are many factors that come into play when determining Parenting Time.  One factor is the fitness of both parents to raise and care for a child.  Another factor is the availability of both parents due to work schedules to be able to provide time for their children. Other factors could include the geographical distance between the two households and the educational needs of the child.  Arizona will make every effort to insure that a child will receive equal and meaningful time with both parents under the new laws introduced in 2013.