How old do you have to be to get child custody in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, there is no specific age when a child can decide who he or she wants to live with. The court has the final say until the child turns 18 years of age. In most cases, the circumstances of the situation will matter as much or more than the child’s age.

What happens when a court grants joint custody?

When the court grants joint physical custody, the place where the child lives (the child’s physical residence) is shared between the parents in a way that the child will have essentially equal time and contact with both parents.

What should I do if I want joint custody of my child?

If the parents request joint legal custody, they also must submit to the court a written plan (parenting plan) indicating how they will cooperate to raise and care for the child. The court may order joint legal custody without ordering joint physical custody. The court also may order joint legal custody even if one parent objects.

Can a mother still get custody of a young child?

Mothers are no longer awarded custody of a young child automatically; still some judges still make use of the tender years doctrine without calling it such. They achieve this by taking into consideration the age and sex of the child when deciding child custody.

What are the child custody laws in Arkansas?

Virtually all states use the child’s own best interests as the main goal of any custody order. Child Custody Laws in Arkansas at a Glance. Arkansas courts allow physical and legal custody (or both) of children, based on a number of determining factors and are often bound by custody relocation laws.

What does the best interest of the child mean in Arkansas?

Although “the best interest of the child” is a vague standard, it is vague for a reason: Arkansas judges need to be free to go with their instinct because it’s the best way we have to make a good decision about child custody. Question 2: How Can I Change Child Custody? In legal terms, this is called a “modification of child custody.”

How does joint custody work for a child?

Joint Custody. • The child shall live with one parent part of the time and the other parent part of the time • The parents will share in making decisions on important issues dealing with the child. Joint custody works best where the mother and father can work together and agree on their child’s upbringing.

When does a circuit court award joint custody?

When in the best interests of a child, custody shall be awarded in such a way so as to assure the frequent and continuing contact of the child with both parents. To this effect, the circuit court may consider awarding joint custody of a child to the parents in making an order for custody.