Child Custody Agreement

Picture this: You and your spouse are getting a divorce. You have agreed with almost everything to be given equally like the house and the finances. However, the only thing that you and your spouse have not agreed on is who the child should be living with. In fact, in the US alone there are about 90 percent of child custody agreements that do not need to go through a judge’s final say for it to work out. However as much as there is a huge percent of these kinds of agreements that come out positive, there is still that 10 percent that may end up bad or that would need a judge’s approval to get it done. This means that there is a way for the custody agreement to work if one knows what to say or what to agree on. As well as what to add and what to avoid. For more information about child custody agreements check out the examples below.

3+ Child Custody Agreement Examples

1. Child Custody Agreement Template

child custody agreement template
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2. Child Joint Custody Agreement Template

child joint custody agreement template
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3. Child Support and Custody Agreement Template

child support and custody agreement template
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4. Standard Child Custody Agreement

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What Is a Child Custody Agreement?

A child custody agreement is an official and legal document that states the agreements made by both parents or legal guardians of the child or children. In this legal agreement, the guidelines that the parents or the legal guardians have agreed upon are highlighted or written down. This agreement is only used when two or more people are going to be highlighting or explaining the rules and guidelines they have set up for their custody agreement of said child or children. In addition to that, this document is usually connected with the divorce, annulment or separation as part of the agreement. A child custody agreement also consists of the special permissions that are only granted if lawyers are present for both sides of the party.

What is the purpose of writing up a child custody agreement? The purpose of writing up a child custody agreement is to let the other party know of the guidelines you have set up. It is also good to write a child custody agreement so that you and the other party can find a common ground to agree on. Seeing as this can either go to a judge or to simply agree on the common grounds that you and the other party would agree on. In addition to that, having to write a child custody agreement gives you the idea as to what you can expect from the other party and what they can expect from you. Not only is it for legal matters, but it also shows that you are willing to find a way to meet their needs which means time with the child or children as well as them meeting yours.

How to Write a Child Custody Agreement?

Have you ever written a child custody agreement before? If you have, what were the things you wanted in the agreement? What were the things you should have asked in the child custody agreement? Also, what were the things you should not have asked in the custody agreement? If you are wondering why the question should not have been asked, the answers would be provided below. For those who have not written a child custody agreement, but have signed one, was there any difference to a general view of a child custody agreement? Of course, each child custody agreement is unique to the needs of the child and the two parties.

1. State Your Needs

Begin by writing a draft about your needs. These needs should also cater to your child. As your child or children are the reason for having the child custody agreement. Your needs can be as simple as asking for time to be with your child to something more like asking to want the child to live with you as well.

2. Write the Correct Information

There are some custody agreements that are used as forms. All you need to do is to write the correct information. Information that is true to you. This can be a bit tricky especially if you are not sure about what to write. Always check and clarify first before giving everything out as this can also be used against you.

3. State Which Kind of Custody

As there are a lot of kinds of child custody, state the one you are planning on having and wait for the other party to agree or to disagree. Give a reason for choosing the kind of custody as well. In addition to that, prepare to defend your reasons for choosing the kind of custody as well as giving proof that you understand what you are signing up for.

4. Watch Your Language

Watch how you express your side of the agreement. The more you sound like you agree to their side of the agreement the more you are able to show your cooperation. The end goal is to find a common ground that could support both sides and the needs of the child.

5. Avoid Unnecessary Information

Avoid having to add unnecessary information. As this would only make the contract more complicated. Also, the child custody agreement has to be about the child or children first and foremost. Any other information that is not connected to the agreement should be discarded.

FAQs

What is a child custody agreement?

A document that states the agreement between two parties over the welfare of a child in question.

What is expected in a child custody agreement?

The guidelines of both parties that should also meet the needs of the child or children.

Why is it necessary to have a child custody agreement?

The purpose of having to write a child custody agreement is to make sure that you and the other party agree on a common ground. One way to do that without having to go to court is to write a child custody agreement.

Having to go through custody battles is nothing short of stressful and tiring at the same time. Not just on both parties but on the child or children as well. To lessen the problems and the stress for the child or children who are involved in this, a custody agreement where both parties list their guidelines should be a better tool and a better answer. The agreement can give you a chance to see what the other party or your ex spouse may want and vice versa.

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