What Is the "Best Interest of The Child?"
In children's issues, from custody disputes, to visitation, to child support, this is the phrase you will hear over and over again: What is best for the children? It is the driving decision maker for the court.
Ultimately, there are three basic truths about family law children's issues:
- At some point, you and another person got along well enough to make a child, and that leaves both of you with responsibilities.
- That child has the right to know his mother and his father, and outside of issues like domestic violence, that child has the right to have a productive relationship with both.
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What is best for the child - what will best promote predictability and stability in the child's life - This the criteria a judge will use to make a ruling on custody and visitation.
How These Cases Are Won and Lost
It is very easy to undermine your child custody efforts: Don't have a plan.
The parent with the best plan, the best resources in place, the best number of options for dealing with every-day contingencies, the best assurances of creating a predictable and stable life for a child—that is the parent who is most likely to get custody. The better able you are to demonstrate good-faith efforts to accommodate the needs of your child while recognizing the right of the other parent to participate, the more favorable a court will look on your case.
I can help you put together a plan for protecting your rights in child custody cases.
Finding the Result That Works for Your Family
We build multiple plans for achieving your custody desires, starting with strong negotiation efforts with the other spouse, but leaving litigation as an option. The more opportunities you have to get the custody you want, and the better prepared you are to take advantage of those opportunities, the better your result.
I work with you every step of the way, helping you create reasonable expectations for your case while advising you on how to proceed, what to protect and what to negotiate. As with divorce hearings and most family law matters, how complicated the process becomes is entirely up to you and your spouse. As your lawyer, I am an advisor, counselor and representative for your expectations.
When we can negotiate we do that.
When we have to fight, then we don't give up.
When you need an attorney who will listen to you, work with you, prepare you and be your advocate every step of the way, contact us and put our years of experience to work for you.
