Child Custody

A custody arrangement needs to work for a child’s daily life, not just look reasonable on paper. The Law Offices of Wunsch and Cruz assists parents with parenting schedules, decision-making concerns, relocation questions and requested changes to existing arrangements.

If parenting time or decision-making is in dispute, contact our family law team to discuss your concerns and the arrangement your child needs.

Parenting time and major decisions

Legal custody concerns the right to make major decisions about a child. Physical custody concerns having the child in your care. These are related but distinct questions: a parenting schedule alone may not explain how parents will handle education or healthcare decisions.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch’s custody guide explains these terms and the general court process. Discuss the actual language of any proposed agreement or order rather than relying only on labels such as “joint custody.”

Build a workable daily plan

Consider the details that can create friction after an agreement is reached:

• School-day routines, transportation and exchange locations.
• Holidays, school breaks, activities and parents’ work schedules.
• Medical appointments, medications and other ongoing care needs.
• How parents will share information and address scheduling changes.

A useful proposal explains how these responsibilities would be handled. Flag arrangements that raise safety concerns rather than treating cooperation as appropriate in every situation.

Keep the child’s welfare at the center

North Carolina’s custody statute, G.S. 50-13.2, directs the court to consider the child’s interest and welfare, including relevant domestic violence and safety concerns. It applies no presumption between parents about who will better promote that welfare. No particular schedule is guaranteed.

Prepare for discussion, mediation or a hearing

Bring existing orders and agreements, a calendar showing the current routine, relevant school or medical information, and communications that explain the disputed issues. Identify people with firsthand knowledge of the child’s care. Separate what you personally observed from what someone else told you.

Our attorneys help parents consider practical agreements and prepare for litigation when needed. If mediation is part of your case, ask how to prepare and raise any safety concerns with your attorney in advance.

When an existing arrangement no longer fits

A move, changing school needs or recurring exchange problems may prompt questions about an existing order. Bring the complete order, including any later changes, and explain what has changed for the child. The route for addressing a problem depends on whether you have an informal arrangement, a temporary order or a permanent order; do not assume they can be changed in the same way.

Fathers can also explore our Wake County custody information. For help with a proposed parenting plan or questions about an existing order, contact our family law team to discuss your options and preparation.