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What child custody issues come up when a parent goes to jail?

On Behalf of | Apr 27, 2017 | Child Custody

A person who is sentenced to jail has a lot to think about. If you are a parent who is sentenced to time in jail, you have to think about what will happen to your children. For some parents, the answer is easy since the other parent can watch the child, but this isn’t always the case.

Some parents don’t have anyone else they can rely on at home to take of the child. Whether the other parent isn’t in the picture or just isn’t someone who can take care of a child, these parents have some difficult time ahead.

What must be considered?

The child’s best interests must be met, even while the parent is in jail. The child should be allowed to continue living life in the same manner as before the parent went to jail as long as that was a suitable lifestyle. The last thing that a child is who losing a parent to jail needs to have to deal with is another upheaval in life.

What happens when the parent is released from jail?

What will happen when the parent is released from jail depends on what happened when the parent went into jail. If the child’s other parent is watching the child and the parents are in a relationship, the parent might just move back into the home and pick up where they left off. If the court was involved in the custody matter, the court will likely have to step in to say what is going to happen now.

In these matters, it is best to explore all options to ensure that you are pursuing what is best for your child.

Source: FindLaw, “What Happens When Custodial Parent Goes to Jail?,” Christopher Coble, Esq., accessed April 27, 2017