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Primary Residential Responsibility |
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This residential arrangement more resembles the traditional agreement between divorcing parents whereby the minor children live primarily with one parent. Either the mother or the father may have primary residential responsibility of the minor children. The parties may agree to this option, or in the absence of an agreement the Court may award this option based upon the Judge's opinion as to what would be in the best interest of the minor children. Concerns raised in residential responsibility matters may include the bonding of the children to one parent or the other, the parties individual financial abilities to care for the children, the life style of the parents, and the amount of time they have available to spend with the minor children, the ability to provide a suitable home for the children, and in some cases with older children their personal desire to live with one parent or the other. Under this option, the non-residential parent is given visitation with the children on a pre-determined schedule agreed to by the parties, or ordered by the Court. If this option is chosen by the parties, or in the absence of an agreement ordered by the Court, the nonresidential parent is then responsible for payment of child support to the residential parent.
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