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Maine Child Custody – Parenting Plan and Custody Agreement Laws in the Maine Revised Statutes

Lawyers Portland Maine:

Does Maine have specific laws that govern the process of making a custody agreement? What are the laws? And, where can a divorced or separating parent find them?

Every state has individual laws and rules that guide the custody process. The custody laws of Maine are found in Title 19-A of the Maine Revised Statutes. Within this Title, parents can find the information they need to make a parenting plan and custody agreement. Here is a highlight of the more important laws that parents should know.

Title 19-A Section 1653 outlines the rights and responsibilities that parents have toward their children. This section also explains that when parents separate, they court is given authority to award those rights and responsibilities between the parents. This happens when a parenting plan becomes a custody order. The parenting plan, in order to be accepted by the court, must contain information about the allocation of the child’s primary residence (this can be given to one parent, or both parents can share the primary residence), a provision for child support, a statement of definition about how the parents will share legal responsibility, etc.

Section 1653 allows that parents who are able to agree on the parenting plan can submit it together to the court and the court will accept it. If the parents are not able to cooperate on an agreement, they will each present information to a judge and the court will determine the agreement.

Part 3 of Section 1653 explains that all custody decisions in the state of Maine must be made with the best interest of the child in mind. This includes the decision of adopting a custody agreement. The agreement must meet the needs of the child and promote the child’s welfare. Some of the other factors that the court will look at when deciding what is best for the child include: the age of the child; the relationship between the child and each parent; the child’s adjustment to home, school, and community; the stability of any proposed living situation for the child; the preference of the child; the duration of the current living situation and if it should continue; the capacity of each parent to encourage the child to develop a relationship with the other parent; the capacity of the parents to cooperate; the affect on the child if one parent has sole authority in upbringing; if the parents can resolve disputes; and if there has been any history of domestic abuse.

Discover how Custody X Change can help you create the best Maine parenting plan for your situation, and get the help you need to make your Maine custody agreement.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Worthington

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3545742

Divorce Lawyers Portland Maine

If you just searched “Divorce Lawyers Portland Maine”, you are probably stressed out, scared, angry, confused and hurt. What you need are clear answers to your questions. Take the time to educate yourself on what to expect from your divorce lawyer.

Divorce Lawyers – Do Not Handle Your Divorce Alone

By Douglas Manning

Do not try to represent yourself in a divorce proceeding. If you have significant assets or there is a custody action, you simply cannot afford to proceed without a divorce attorney. It is complicated to accurately value property or determine adequate child support or fair custody arrangements.

Instead of taking a chance, find a divorce attorney to ensure that you are treated fairly by the court system. Take a minute to read this short guide so that you can determine how a qualified family attorney can protect your interests and those of your family.

Property and assets are a major point of contention in a divorce proceeding. Having more property, money and assets makes the entire divorce more complicated. In dividing the property, each party must make a determine of both the fair market value of the property (as well as its value to each party).

While this might be straightforward with respect to retirement accounts, cash and marketable securities, valuing a business or other intangible asset is more complicated. A competent divorce attorney has the expertise to help you determine the value of each asset. Even though property is a major concern, it is custody and support that constitutes the greatest complicating factor in a divorce

Custody:  Your Children Are Your Life

Nothing complicates a divorce more than the high emotions associated with children, custody and support. Naturally, even loving parents do not act rationally or in the best interest of their children. This is a problem since the legal and moral standard in most states is to fashion a solution that is “in the best interest of the children.”

Children do not ask for the parents to get divorced and rely upon their parents to have the maturity to do what is best for them. Add the complicating factor that, in many states, older children can have a significant voice in determining their primary custodian. Custody is complicated and underscores the need to hire a qualified divorce attorney to arrive at a fair and equitable solution for the parties.

Divorce Lawyers Are Family Law Specialists

Where there are significant property or custody issues involved, you can understand why hiring a qualified divorce attorney is crucial. You can conduct your attorney search online or follow the recommendation of a friend or relative.

But, remember, you need to find an attorney that practices family law because only a divorce lawyer has the experience and expertise to address the complications surrounding valuation of assets and calculation of child support and custody or minor children. A divorce lawyer will help you draft a settlement agreement that preserves and protects your rights as well as the rights of your children. If the case goes to trial, a divorce attorney will ensure that the court system treats you with the respect and dignity you deserve. All in all, the divorce attorney will be “in your corner” protecting your interests at a time where you will not be thinking or acting rationally.

Divorce Is Not A “Do It Yourself Project”

Now that you understand the issues involves, do you understand why you need a divorce attorney? Where there is a large marital estate or there are children involved, you simply cannot afford to represent yourself. Property valuation and division is tricky and can lead to an unequal distribution of property. Custody issues cause tempers and emotions to run high. You need a divorce attorney to help you value property fairly and find an arrangement that is in the best interest of the children, even in the midst of high emotions.

If you objectively consider the high stakes involved, you must admit that hiring a divorce attorney represents a wise investment of your time and effort.

Douglas Manning is an attorney, counselor, and author on the subject of selecting a divorce attorney. If you have children or significant marital property, hiring a divorce lawyer is a wise investment of your time and resources.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Douglas_Manning