Employer Fundamentals: Understanding Employment Law
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Employer Fundamentals: Understanding Employment Law

As a business owner, keeping informed about the finer points of employment law is important. If you're getting ready to hire your first employees, you need to be sure that you understand exactly what you can and cannot do. Don't risk getting yourself into legal trouble by asking the wrong question at the interview or making an off-hand comment that's considered legally unacceptable. I created this site to give you the basics of employment law expectations. I hope that the information here helps you to understand what you should and shouldn't do as you're interviewing and hiring your first staff members.

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Employer Fundamentals: Understanding Employment Law

Child Custody: What You Should Know Before Filing A Petition

Irene Robertson

If you and your child's other parent are not married, it is essential that you obtain a legal custody order that dictates the role that each parent will play in the child's life. This is true even if the other parent is not current active in the child's life. This is because in the absence of a court-ordered custody agreement, both parents will have equal parental rights, even if one of the parents has been absent for many years.

While obtaining a custody agreement is clearly a time sensitive issue that should be taken care of quickly as possible, you may want to put off running to the court house for at least the next few minutes. This is because there are a few facts that all parents should be aware of before filing a custody petition with the court.

Custody And Support Are Two Separate Issues

Many parents believe that a custody hearing will address all of the legal issues involving their children. However, these proceedings are designed to solely address custodial and visitation issues, not matters concerning child support. This is because a parent's right to see their child and their responsibility to provide financial support for their child are two completely separate issues. Even if a parent has not made a single child support payment, they may still be entitled to visitation rights or even joint custody.

Spouse Bashing Can Backfire

Unfortunately, far too many people choose to use a custody case as an opportunity to put on record everything that their ex-spouse ever did wrong. Some people believe that by making the other parent look bad, they will be able to make themselves look better in the eyes of the judge. However, this approach often backfires and can actually make you look far worse in the eyes of the court. This is because a family court judge is not charged with the task of deciding whether or not your ex is a good person, they are charged with the task of determining what is in the best interest of your child. A parent who creates hostility through name calling and public accusations will rarely be what is best for the child.

It can be difficult to refrain from making emotional decisions when dealing with something as close to your heart as your own children. This is why it is always best to seek out the services of a family law attorney rather than trying to represent yourself in a child custody case. After all, the last thing you want is to have an emotional outburst in court that could be used against you when making a final decision regarding the custody of your kids. Attorneys such as Jones Auger & Auger can often provide guidance and support in cases such as these.


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