Domestic violence and child custody
If there's a history of domestic violence in a family, judges use special laws to help protect children when making decisions about child custody.
Child custody/visitation
DVRO
How to get an order in a family law case
Once you have a family law case (like a divorce or a parentage case), you can ask for a court date so a judge can make a decision about your financial or family situation. You can ask for order while the case is going, or after the case has finished but you need to change something or ask for something related to the case.
This is called re
Child custody/visitation
Child Support
Request for Order
What you can file to ask for a child custody and visitation order
There are different types of cases and papers you can file to ask for a child custody and visitation (parenting time) order. Which type of case or papers you can file depends on your situation, like whether you and the other parent are married or you already filed a family law case.
Child custody/visitation
Child custody and parenting time
When you separate from your child’s other parent, you need a parenting plan. Sometimes parents can agree to a parenting plan. Other times they need the help of the court to come up with a plan.
Jump to:
- What is a parenting plan?
- Child custody
- Visitation (parenting time)
- Determining what's in the best interest of your child
- How
Child custody/visitation
Child custody evaluations
A child custody evaluation is an investigation of your child's health, safety, welfare, and best interests by a trained mental health professional (an evaluator). At the end of the investigation, the evaluator will provide a report to you and the judge with a recommendation for a parenting plan in your child's best interests.
In any case
Child custody/visitation