New Hampshire and Massachusetts laws on ‘custody’ both focus on the importance of having both parents involved in their children’s lives, so long as it is in their best interests.
While New Hampshire and Massachusetts laws are similar, there is a difference in terminology used by the different states. New Hampshire does not use the term “custody”. Rather, New Hampshire identifies the parents “decision-making responsibility” and “parenting schedule” whereas Massachusetts uses the terms “legal custody” and “physical custody” to identify decision making and the residential schedule. This article utilizes the word ‘custody’ interchangeably but Smith-Weiss Shepard Kanakis & Spony, P.C. urges the reader to keep this distinction in mind as applicable to your state.
Part of developing a parenting plan involves agreements about decision making responsibility/legal custody and residential responsibility of the parents. There are notable differences between the two:
Decision Making Responsibility: The responsibility to make legal decisions about matters affecting the child such as education, healthcare, and religion. Legal custody also includes the right to access school and medical records.
Residential Responsibility: Where and with whom the child will live.
Co-parenting is one of the main focuses of child custody cases, or parenting plans, and determining when each parent will have time with their child or children. Custody agreements are often aided by attorneys through mediation, or four-way settlement meetings, and the court encourages each party to be represented in these proceedings. When parents cannot agree between themselves when they will each have time with their children, the court becomes involved and a custody hearing will be held.
Custody and decision-making in New Hampshire and Massachusetts will be guided by the best interests of the child. In determining what is in the child’s best interest, the court will consider any factors the court deems relevant, which include at a minimum the following:
Smith-Weiss Shepard Kanakis & Spony, P.C. have seasoned attorneys who will evaluate these factors for you and advocate for a custody agreement best suited for you and your family.
Located on Factory Street in downtown Nashua, New Hampshire for over 45 years, Smith-Weiss Shepard Kanakis & Spony, P.C. offers nearly 100 years of combined legal experience. Our experience and practical advice inside and outside of the courtroom will guide you and allow you to achieve results for all of your legal matters. Our attorneys practice law in the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts and before the United States District Court for New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
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