If a parent is diagnosed with a severe medical condition requiring changes to a parenting plan, both parents are encouraged to come to a new agreement. If parents cannot agree on a new plan, the dispute can be addressed by the Family Court. When reviewing any custody agreement, a Rhode Island judge will always first…
In any case involving children, Rhode Island courts always consider what is in the child’s best interest. The “standard” for determining the best interest is a complicated and multi-pronged process whereby the judge considers many things. The judge has the ability to weigh some factors greater than others. While it is generally presumed a child’s…
Once you’ve completed the process of going through a divorce, settling on child support, and agreeing to a parenting schedule, you’d think you can finally move forward and start your new life. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. When you’re facing the frustrating reality that your ex simply won’t comply with your legally binding agreements,…
A father petitioning for paternity needs to have a full understanding of the legal process. Fathers who are unmarried in the Rhode Island can establish paternity in two ways. The first route is a voluntary process that utilizes a form known as a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage. This is a document signed by both the…
Custody and COVID-19 These are difficult times for everyone, but for divorced and blended families there are particular and unique challenges. Many of these challenges center around custody. In a time when travel is discouraged and transportation—by plane, train, or public transit—is limited and fraught with worry, moving children between households, especially across great distances,…
Rhode Island marriages end for a variety of reasons. From financial to work-related or even stress-related reasons, many marriages all over the country end in divorce. No matter the reason, divorce proceedings can range from amicable to hostile. A number of circumstances may add additional stress to the divorce process; particularly, marriages that end due…
Courts primarily base their decision on what is in the child’s best interest, using the Child’s Best Interest Standard. Factors vary from state to state, but the overall goal is to make a decision that promotes the health and wellbeing of the child. IN Rhode Island, the Court considers about 9 different factors in accordance…
Grandparents may have legal rights in Rhode Island, regarding visitation, however, this is far from certain. In the event the grandparents and parents can come to an agreement regarding visitation, court intervention is generally not required. When no such agreement can be made, there are certain situations grandparents may be granted a court order allowing…
In situations where a custodial parent wishes to relocate with a child, the court will determine whether child custody relocation is in the best interests of the child. While a parent is free to relocate out of state themselves without the child or with the permission of the other parent to take the child, the…
As an attorney, my answer is almost always going to be “get it in writing.” While you may have the most amicable divorce in the world, you never know what the future may hold. Contracts fill the gaps left when human trust fails. If this is a one-time, or two-time situation, a verbal agreement might…
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