Know Your Rights: Understanding Child Custody Laws In North Carolina
What’s good baby mommas and daddies? You may have heard about the custody battle between Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner plastered across the news. Basically, the couple has lived a bit of a nomadic lifestyle and they’re now divorcing. Their small children are caught in the middle at this point. Seeing this morning was a bit triggering, and reminded me of the distant days when my co-parent and I battled over my son. Thankfully we grew into people who learned that putting the child first is all that really matters. We live in a state that agrees with this sentiment.
I didn’t know much about custody laws in North Carolina when I was faced with navigating them. I realize how many people may have the same battles and thought, let’s take a quick dive. It’s important to know your rights as a parent and what options you have. So, let’s educate ourselves on child custody laws in the Tar Heel state.
First things first, signing the birth certificate gives you automatic joint custody in North Carolina. That’s right, fellow baby mommas! If you’re a single mom, and the father signs the birth certificate, congratulations, you both have joint custody. However, joint custody does not necessarily mean equal time with the child. The court still has the final say on the custodial arrangement and will take into account the best interests of the child.
There are two types of child custody in North Carolina: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and spends their time. Legal custody refers to the ability to make important decisions about the child’s life, such as education, healthcare, and religion. Both types of custody can be either sole or joint. Sole custody means only one parent has custody, and joint custody means both parents share custody.
In North Carolina, when determining child custody, the court considers the following factors:
- The age of the child
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- Each parent’s living situation and ability to provide for the child
- Each parent’s mental and physical health
- The child’s school and community involvement
- The child’s wishes, if the child is old enough to make decisions
- Any history of domestic violence or abuse
It’s important to note that North Carolina courts favor joint custody arrangements, as it is believed to be in the best interest of the child to have a relationship with both parents. However, joint custody is not always feasible or safe, depending on the circumstances of the case.
In conclusion, baby mommas and baby daddies, it’s important to know your rights and options when it comes to child custody. Remember that signing the birth certificate gives you automatic joint custody, but that doesn’t necessarily mean equal time with the child. Understand the different types of custody and the factors courts consider when determining child custody arrangements. Always act in the best interest of your child, and I strongly suggest seeking legal counsel if necessary. Let’s educate ourselves and protect our rights as parents here in NC!
