It also allows each parent the authority, for instance, to authorize an emergency medical procedure, if necessary. It is possible, depending on the fitness of the parents, that sole custody may be awarded to one parent and no visitation, or modified visitation to the other. The issues of visitation and custody remain within the jurisdiction of the court even after a divorce, and the terms may be changed if the circumstances change. The parent with the physical placement of the child or children must receive child support. This is not a right that may be waived by the spouse with placement, since child support is intended for the benefit of the child.
Child support is calculated by a formula.
The issue of child support also remains with the court and may change if circumstances change. The parties, together with one or two witnesses, testify at the hearing. Usually, each party is examined by their own attorney only, and the attorney asks them leading questions with the intention of eliciting the parties' agreement through testimony. Two witnesses need to testify that at least one of the parties lived in Rhode Island for at least one year prior to when the complaint for divorce was filed. One witness needs to testify that they were aware of the fact that there were problems with the marriage.