Et samlivsbrudd er ofte en utfordrende tid, spesielt når det er barn involvert. Å bli enige om barnefordeling kan være komplisert, men med riktig informasjon og veiledning kan prosessen bli mer oversiktlig.
Foreldreansvar refererer til retten og plikten til å ta avgjørelser for barnet i personlige forhold, som navn, pass og medisinsk behandling. Som hovedregel har begge foreldrene felles foreldreansvar etter et samlivsbrudd, med mindre annet er avtalt eller bestemt. Dette gjelder uavhengig av om foreldrene var gift eller samboere.
Etter et samlivsbrudd må det avgjøres hvor barnet skal ha sitt faste bosted. Foreldrene kan avtale delt fast bosted, hvor barnet bor tilnærmet like mye hos begge, eller fast bosted hos én forelder med samvær for den andre. Valget av fast bosted påvirker blant annet hvem som kan ta beslutninger om dagligdagse forhold som barnehage, skole og fritidsaktiviteter i tillegg til flytting med barnet innenlands.
Dersom foreldrene ikke blir enige om foreldreansvar, fast bosted eller samvær, er mekling obligatorisk for foreldre med felles barn under 16 år. Målet med meklingen er å komme frem til en avtale som ivaretar barnets beste. Meklingen foregår vanligvis på et familievernkontor, og begge foreldrene plikter å møte.
Hvis mekling ikke fører til enighet, kan saken bringes inn for domstolen. Retten vil da avgjøre spørsmål om foreldreansvar, fast bosted og samvær basert på hva som anses å være til barnets beste. Barnets mening vil også bli hørt, spesielt dersom barnet er over 7 år, og det legges stor vekt på barnets mening etter fylte 12 år.
Ved fastsettelse av barnebidrag tas det hensyn til begge foreldrenes inntekt, barnets behov og omfanget av samvær. NAV kan bistå med beregning og innkreving av barnebidrag dersom foreldrene ikke blir enige.
I alle avgjørelser om barnefordeling er det avgjørende å ha barnets beste som hovedfokus. Dette innebærer å sikre en stabil og trygg omsorgssituasjon, samt opprettholde en god relasjon til begge foreldrene så langt det er mulig.
Å navigere gjennom barnefordelingsspørsmål kan være krevende, men med riktig informasjon og støtte kan foreldre finne løsninger som ivaretar både barnets og egne behov. Kontakt oss for en gratis samtale med en av våre advokater med spisskompetanse innen barnefordeling.
When parents separate, important decisions must be made that affect the child's daily life - where the child will live, how time will be divided between the parents, and who will make decisions about their upbringing. Child custody includes parental responsibility, permanent residence and visitation, and is fundamentally about finding solutions that safeguard the child's best interests.
Time between parents is often distributed according to percentage models, but it can be useful to convert this to the number of days to get a more concrete picture of everyday life.
How time is divided between parents has a direct impact on finances – both in terms of child support and public benefits.
In the case of a 50/50 division of children, child support is usually not applicable, provided that the parents have roughly equal incomes. In the case of a more unequal division – such as 60/40 , 70/30 or 80/20 – it is common for the person with the least child to pay child support. The amount is determined, among other things, by the income differences and the child's needs.
Child benefit is paid to the parent with whom the child is registered. In the event of shared residence, the parents may agree on shared child benefit. In the event of an uneven distribution, such as in the case of a 70/30 or 80/20 child distribution, the parent with primary custody may be entitled to extended child benefit, transitional benefit and support for childcare.
There is no universal solution for child custody. Some children thrive living equally with both parents, while others have a greater need for stability with one fixed base. What is best depends on the child's age, well-being, daily routines and the parents' ability to cooperate. Practical factors such as travel routes, school and extracurricular activities also play an important role.
Good cooperation between parents is crucial to creating a safe and predictable everyday life for the child. In the event of a disagreement about visitation or finances, it is legally required to attend mediation before the case goes to court. The goal is to find a solution that works for both parties – but first and foremost for the child.
Child custody can be both demanding and emotional. If you are unsure of your rights, or need help finding a fair solution, it may be a good idea to seek legal advice.
At Insa lawyers you can get assistance from an experienced lawyer in child custody , who knows the regulations and can help you with everything from advice and contract drafting to mediation and possible legal proceedings.
When young children are involved in a breakup, there are extra high demands on how parents cooperate on child custody. For the very youngest, it is not just about practical solutions, but about creating a stable, safe and predictable everyday life.
In all matters concerning children, there is one principle that remains constant: the best interests of the child shall be paramount. This is enshrined in the Children's Act and governs both private agreements and legal decisions. For young children, this means in particular that attachment, predictability and a stable care base must be emphasized.
When a relationship breaks down and the child is under one year old, visitation arrangements must be adapted to the child's developmental level and need for security. In this phase, the attachment to the primary caregiver – often the one who has had the main responsibility for the child – is crucial.
Visits with the other parent should be frequent but short, and preferably in familiar surroundings. This gives the child the opportunity to build a relationship without creating unnecessary stress. Overnight stays are usually not recommended for infants, especially if the child is breastfed or has an irregular circadian rhythm.
As the child develops, the visitation arrangement can also be expanded. For children between one and three years old, it is still about ensuring continuity and security – but with somewhat greater flexibility.
Emotional reactions such as restlessness, sleep problems or separation anxiety must be taken seriously. It is important that the visitation arrangement is not rigid, but adjusted in line with the child's development.
Shared residence means that the child lives equally with both parents. This can work well for older children, but for those under three years of age, this is often discouraged by professionals. Young children need one main base to develop a secure attachment.
If shared residence is considered for such young children, it requires a high degree of cooperation and communication between the parents – and that the child already has strong, secure relationships with both.
Parents who separate and have children under the age of 16 must go through mediation. The goal is to agree on parental responsibility, residence and visitation. Many people manage to find solutions themselves, often with help from a family welfare office or lawyer.
If disagreement persists, the matter can be brought to court. The court will then make a decision based on the best interests of the child – paying particular attention to the child's age, attachment and need for stability.
Many parents are not aware that they may be entitled to free legal aid in cases concerning child custody. This is especially true if the case is being heard in court and you have a low income and few resources. In some cases, free legal aid is provided regardless of income, for example if it concerns serious conflicts concerning children. This must be applied for from the State Administrator.
Free legal aid can cover both legal advice and assistance from a lawyer during legal proceedings. To find out if you are entitled to this, you can contact a lawyer or visit the legal aid scheme via the Government's website.
Child custody can be both demanding and emotional. If you are unsure of your rights, or need help finding a fair solution, it may be a good idea to seek legal advice.
At Insa lawyers, you can get assistance from an experienced lawyer in child custody who knows the regulations and can help you with everything from advice and contract drafting to mediation and possible legal proceedings.
After a break-up, parents must, among other things, agree on parental responsibility, where the child will live permanently and visitation arrangements, also called child distribution. When parents do not agree on the distribution of children, it may be necessary to bring the case to court. Here is an overview of the process and what you should be aware of.
1. Mediation – first step
Before a child distribution case can be taken to court, mediation at a family welfare office is mandatory. The aim is to help the parents come to an agreement about the child's place of residence, visitation and parental responsibility. After the mediation, a mediation certificate is issued, which is necessary to be able to proceed with the case.
2. Summons – to bring the matter before the court
If the mediation does not lead to an agreement, one of the parents can submit a summons to the district court in the child's area of residence. The summons should contain a clear description of what the case is about and what demands are put forward. It is often wise to seek legal assistance to ensure that the subpoena is correctly drafted and that you get what you want to get.
3. Case preparation meetings - try to find solutions
After the summons and response have been received, the court will convene preparatory meetings. These meetings aim to get the parties to agree on an agreement without a full trial. It is common for the parents to bring a lawyer with them, but the judge is most concerned with hearing the parents' views on the case and getting them to reach an agreement. An expert, often a psychologist specializing in children and families, can be appointed to assist in the process and provide insight into what is in the best interests of the child. In many cases, it is possible to agree on a temporary agreement that will apply for a certain time until the next meeting. In the best case, a permanent arrangement is agreed upon in the first case preparation meeting. In the worst case, a time is agreed for a trial.
4. Main hearing – the heart of the trial
If agreement is not reached in the case preparation meetings, the case goes to the main hearing. Here both parties present their arguments, witnesses can be brought, and the expert presents his assessment. The court will then make a decision based on what is considered to be in the best interests of the child.
5. After the court decision – what happens next?
Once the court has made a decision, it is binding on both parties. If one of the parents disagrees with the verdict, the case can be appealed to the Court of Appeal within a given deadline. It is important to note that the appeal process may entail additional costs and time consumption.
Costs – what should you expect?
The costs of a child custody case can vary significantly depending on the complexity and duration of the case. Lawyers' fees, expenses for experts and any court fees must be taken into account. In some cases, it may be possible to get free legal aid, depending on income and assets.
The best interests of the child – the overriding principle
In all child distribution cases, consideration of the child's best interests is decisive. The court considers factors such as the child's attachment to each parent, stability, ability to care and the child's own wishes, depending on age and maturity.
Practical advice - prepare well
Going through a child custody trial can be challenging. Good preparation, understanding of the process and focus on the best interests of the child can contribute to a more constructive solution.
Do you need a lawyer in child custody ? Feel free to contact Insa lawyers for a conversation with one of our lawyers. It's completely free.
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