Child Custody Attorney
It can be incredibly difficult for any parent to face losing time to spend with their child. Unfortunately, many divorces require addressing child custody. It is also possible for unmarried parents to end their relationships and decide to raise their children separately as single parents. In either case, parents must resolve child custody through the court, obtaining legally enforceable terms and conditions for parenting time, parental responsibilities, and financial support for their children.
Guiding Parents Through Child Custody Determinations
If you have children and are planning to divorce your spouse, or if you are an unwed parent seeking a custody order to determine legal rights over your children, Johnson O'Keefe can help. Our team has successfully guided many clients through difficult child custody determinations in the family court system. We know parents’ emotional challenges and procedural obligations in these cases and do everything we can to help our clients approach these disputes with peace of mind.
For your initial consultation, call us at (888) 445-2318 today.
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Individualized AttentionJust as each family is unique, so is each family legal matter. We always take the time to completely understand your situation so that we can tailor our advice and strategy accordingly.
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Highly RecommendedOur clients often take the time to write and thank us, not only for the results we have earned for them but also for the respect we’ve shown them.
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Supportive CounselWe never lose sight of the fact that divorce and other household conflicts can feel overwhelming. Our family lawyers will answer all of your questions to ease your burden in this difficult time.
How Is Child Custody Determined?
A family court judge must review and resolve every child custody dispute filed in the family court system.
The judge is legally required to rule in favor of the best interests of the children in the case, and they accomplish this by carefully evaluating numerous factors, including:
- The overall fitness of each parent for handling their child’s basic needs. If a parent has a criminal record, a history of domestic violence, or a substance abuse disorder, the judge will be unlikely to consider them fit for custody.
- Family dynamics and the preferences of the child. The judge should strive to disrupt the child’s life as minimally as possible in their ruling, and they will also seek to evaluate the bond between the child and each parent. If the child is old enough to convey their preferences, the judge will probably want to hear what they have to say.
- The child’s unique needs. If one parent is better suited to handle a child’s medical, social, developmental, or educational needs, this will factor heavily into the judge’s final decision.
- The willingness and availability of each parent to assume custody. Child custody unfolds differently in every case. Some cases involve both parents fighting for as much custody as possible, while in other cases, one parent may be unable or unwilling to assume a significant share of custody. As a result, judges must carefully evaluate a custodial parent’s ability to manage their child’s everyday schedule, the demands of their respective careers, and the child’s unique needs when assigning custody.
- The living arrangements of each of the parents. The judge must ensure that any parent with physical custody has appropriate space for their children and the ability to provide a safe environment for them. If divorcing or separated parents live close to one another, joint parenting is easier to arrange.
Ultimately, every child custody case requires careful evaluation of multiple factors, and no two cases unfold exactly the same. Therefore, you need responsive and experienced legal counsel on your side, regardless of how easy or difficult you expect your custody determination to be. Johnson O'Keefe can provide ongoing guidance as all stages of your court proceedings unfold.
Why Do I Need a Child Custody Attorney?
It is technically possible to resolve child custody without an attorney, but doing so is much more difficult than many parents expect. Even if you think you and your child’s other parent are on relatively agreeable terms, it is natural for any parent to want to fight for as much custody as possible when confronted with legal proceedings that could significantly impact their time with their child. Working with an experienced attorney eliminates the possibility of any procedural or clerical errors interfering with your case, and you will also be better prepared to make your case for custody.
A family court judge must handle every child custody determination. Every family court judge is beholden to ruling in favor of a child’s best interests, no matter what a case entails. When parents go to family court to settle custody, the judge overseeing the case has the final say regarding allocating parenting time and assigning parental responsibilities. Even if parents must resolve custody in divorce and take advantage of alternative dispute resolution, they cannot privately resolve any issues pertaining to child custody and/or child support.
You need an experienced attorney who can help you gather any documentation you must produce for the court, prepare you for each courtroom session in front of a judge, and address any unforeseen complications that arise during your case. Johnson O'Keefe has helped many parents approach their custody determinations with greater confidence, helping them understand the specific legal mechanisms in play and helping them develop solid claims for custody.
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I called Johnson Law Group extremely frustrated and stressed with the process of my custody case. From the consultation to every conversation after, Elizabeth went out of her way to make sure that i was comfortable with all the matters and decisions. I highly recommend Elizabeth and the whole Johnson O'Keefe team to anyone going through custody matters. Elizabeth, Cassidy, and Paola were amazing, and made me feel like i was a friend, not just a client. I would happily use them again if needed.- Patricia
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I HIGHLY recommend him and his legal team of paralegals and staff because I had a great experience with them. Myles is smart and savvy and fully committed to his clients as an attorney and mediator. He represented me in my divorce and when we went to court his talent and expertise rose to the top giving me confidence and inspiration during this hardship. I am so glad I had Johnson O'Keefe at my side! It made my divorce a little bit easier knowing this group had my back and worked hard to get me what was fair and equitable with the utmost care and concern for me as a client and most importantly as an individual.- M.J.
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Everyone was fast to return calls or emails. They explained everything thoroughly and so that I could understand the process. They worked with me every step of the way. I would highly recommend Johnson O'Keefe and if needed would go with them again. Thank you so much.- Robin
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They’re professional and supportive team work was beyond efficient and they got the job done in the least amount of time and with the least stress possible. They’re an amazing team to help with family needs and are always available to answer any questions or support. I would definitely recommend Myles and Genet Johnson for any family legal needs.- M.A.
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Changing a Custody Order
The family courts recognize that life can easily present unexpected challenges at any time, sometimes influencing the terms and conditions of standing custody and support orders. If you have a child custody order, it is essential to abide by its terms carefully at all times, but life could pose challenges that very suddenly impair your ability to do so. Parents must use the appropriate channels when such things occur and request reasonable modifications to their family court orders. It’s possible to petition for a reasonable and necessary change to any standing family court order. Instead of a complex appeal that challenges the legal basis of the original order, if you need a change to your custody agreement, you file a petition for modification to the family court. For example, if you suffered a catastrophic injury that caused a permanent disability, you could be unable to continue meeting your parental responsibilities. A modification request to reallocate custody would likely fall within the judge’s interpretation of your child’s best interests in this situation.
Whether you need legal counsel for an initial custody determination or need to make changes to your current custody order, legal representation from an experienced child custody attorney is invaluable.
Contact Johnson O'Keefe today and schedule your consultation to learn more about the legal services we provide to parents facing child custody disputes.
