A Custody Attorney is a lawyer who helps clients establish or modify custody arrangements for their children. They also assist with child support payments and other issues related to a divorce. Typically, lawyers charge a hourly rate for these services. However, they may offer flat rates for certain types of cases.
In contested cases, Custody Attorney help parents develop a parenting plan that meets both their needs and the best interests of their child or children. They will take into account factors like a parent’s ability to make decisions about a child’s health, education and welfare. They will also take into consideration the child’s relationship with each parent.
The attorneys will work to create a custody arrangement that includes both legal and physical custody. Legal custody is the right to make decisions about a child’s religious affiliation, medical care, and other important matters. Physical custody refers to who a child will live with most of the time. Generally, this will be shared between both parents. However, a judge will determine which parent is the most suitable for physical custody based on various factors.
It is not uncommon for a custody dispute to become heated during a divorce. This is why it is important to hire an experienced custody attorney. They will be able to provide an objective opinion and help you avoid making emotional statements that can damage your chances of winning the case. In addition, a custody lawyer can help you defend yourself against your co-parent if they try to use information about your past that should not be relevant to the case, such as drug abuse, arrest records or even financial problems.
Sometimes, the original custody or visitation agreement will need to be modified due to unforeseen circumstances. For example, a change in work schedule or a move to a different city can require an adjustment. If you and your co-parent are unable to come to an agreement on the changes, a custody attorney can help you submit a request to the court for a modification of the existing order.
In some cases, a custody dispute will require the appointment of a psychologist or psychiatrist to complete a custodial evaluation for the judge. This process involves various tests and interviews to gather information that can be used to decide which parent is the best fit for a child. This process can be difficult and lengthy, but it is an important part of the custody proceedings. A skilled custody attorney will be able to guide their client through the process and help them achieve the results they want. This is especially true when the parents are unable to reach an agreement on their own. In these situations, mediation is often necessary and can be a very beneficial step in the custody process. The attorneys at Cohen Forman Barone are skilled at helping families through these tough times. They have years of experience guiding people through complex cases involving custody disputes and other family law matters.