| The nucleus of family law is marriage. This is the | | | | non-custodian. For the latter, he or she does not have |
| reason why family law is also referred as matrimonial | | | | the right to make decisions on the child's behalf; |
| law or law of domestic relations. However family law | | | | however, the non-custodial parent is normally still given |
| does not only cover the responsibilities and rights of | | | | visitation rights. |
| individuals who are married, it also includes matters | | | | 2. Joint custody- Both parents share the responsibilities |
| whenever a marriage ends. | | | | in child rearing. |
| Family Law and Children | | | | 3. In the best interest of the child- In the event that both |
| When a couple undergoes legal separation or divorce, | | | | parents fail to agree regarding child custody, the court |
| it is always a painful process, not only for the couple | | | | will make the decision for them. In this setting, the court |
| but most especially to children. Although the court is | | | | will consider the child's preference and a parent's |
| not the proper avenue to seek any emotional or | | | | capacity to establish a safe and stable growing |
| psychological help, what family law can provide is the | | | | environment. |
| establishment of some level of order so the transition | | | | Child Support and Alimony |
| from being a married couple into once again single | | | | Although child support and alimony are both concerned |
| individuals will not be chaotic and violent. With this, the | | | | with financial obligations, these two areas of family law |
| children of divorcing couples can depend on the | | | | are different. Child support is the financial responsibility |
| consolation that their future and welfare are also taken | | | | of an individual to his or her child. The guidelines which |
| into consideration. | | | | govern the amount of money to be periodically given |
| Child Custody | | | | and which parent will carry the financial responsibility |
| Child custody is an aspect of family law pertaining to | | | | are different from state to state. |
| the right of a parent to become child's legal guardian. | | | | On the other hand, alimony refers to payments given |
| As a result, the parent awarded with child custody will | | | | by a person to his or her former spouse. Alimony is a |
| have the right to take care of the child and to make | | | | controversial section of family law since some law |
| major decisions for the child. There are three types of | | | | experts contest its theoretical basis. When alimony is |
| child custody: | | | | tackled during a divorce proceeding, it may result in the |
| | | | extension of the divorce process as the couple is |
| 1. Sole custody- In this arrangement, one parent | | | | often pitted against each other as who deserves to |
| becomes a custodian while the other becomes a | | | | pay or receive alimony. |