Legal Question in Family Law in Arizona

Re: child custody

I suggest you locate all the court orders and minute entries. Review the language closely; don�t just rely on your recollection of what the orders may say. The party with �Legal Custody� would have say over the child�s medical, religious, and schooling choices. If it is �Joint Legal Custody� all the parties need to consult and agree about these choices for the child. Next �Primary Physical Custody� is the parent or guardian with whom the child spends a majority of her time and provides for the child�s physical needs. �Primary Physical Custody� is not necessarily the same as �Legal Custody.�

Then, look at the �Parenting Time� or visitation of the non-custodial parents. When and where visitation will occur is sometimes spelled out in detail, sometimes it�s just phrased as �reasonable.� Review the language of the court orders carefully. Generally, a mother picking up her daughter from school or visiting at school would not be considered a problem by the court, absent some other information or harm to the child. You mention �live-in-boyfriend� but it�s not clear why that�s important. Generally, absent some potential harm to the child, the Judge won�t be interested in who the mother lives with.

You might wish to consult with an attorney. I work in southern Arizona, not in Maricopa County, but can review the matter with you. There would be a fee for my services. Good Luck.