Going through a divorce can be a heartbreaking and emotional time. If children are involved, the process can become even more difficult. Laws regarding custody, visitation, and support are complicated. Having a compassionate and experienced lawyer can make this painful time easier. When searching for a child custody attorney Greensboro NC residents trust, choose Morgenstern & Associates.
Child Custody Laws NC – Best Interest Of The Children
Often, when two people decide to dissolve their marriage, they have children. If these children are minors, the couple must agree on where the children will live. They must also agree on which party can make important decisions regarding their upbringing.
Sometimes, the couple can agree outside of court. However, if all other avenues have failed, the court must decide the care and living arrangements.
When deciding on child custody cases, the courts determine custody based on the best interest of the child. The judge on the case will look at a list of factors to help establish the best living arrangement:
- Mental and physical health of the parents
- The ability to provide a continuous, stable environment
- Presence of abuse or neglect
- Age of the children
- Children’s preference for living arrangements
- Each parent’s relationship with the children before the divorce
Types Of Custody Agreements
Generally, courts distinguish between physical and legal custody. Physical custody involves where the child will live. Typically, many agreements give one parent full physical custody to help establish stability for the children. The other parent can have specified visitation dates to maintain the relationship.
Whereas legal custody encompasses making decisions about education, religious upbringing, and medical care. Often, the children will live with one parent, but both retain legal custody. In this case, both parents must decide together on all major decisions involving their children. Conversely, a parent with sole legal custody can make decisions independently.
Child Custody Attorney Greensboro NC – Experience Is Crucial
As you search for a lawyer, you may find many general practice firms. These types of lawyers don’t specialize in any particular area and usually handle a variety of legal matters. While these attorneys may have many years of experience, their experience may not be in family law.
Undoubtedly, the outcome of your agreement will have long-term consequences. Thus, it’s critical you hire a lawyer with extensive knowledge of family law statutes, regulations, and controlling decisions. Morgenstern & Associates specializes in family law cases.
However, we’re more than just experts in family law. We’re also compassionate about you. Beginning with your initial consultation, we present realistic alternatives to facilitate and minimize your distress. Moreover, throughout the process, we continually communicate with you with updates as to procedures and progress.
FAQs About Child Custody
Often, laws and controlling decisions of cases are complex and confusing to clients. With that in mind, we’ve put together some questions clients commonly ask us during a consultation.
Do I Need To Go To Court To Decide Custody For My Children?
Typically, divorcing couples have several ways to work out the details of a custody arrangement. They can agree on their own or work out the particulars with the help of lawyers. Unfortunately, during a divorce, many parents cannot agree on what’s best for their children.
Often, to avoid court, many divorcing couples use a mediator. Mediators are neutral third-party facilitators who help parents resolve their issues. Working through a mediator is less stressful and less expensive than going to court. In North Carolina, custody mediation is mandatory after any custody litigation is filed.
However, sometimes parents just cannot agree. When divorcing couples reach an impasse, they may have no alternative but to go to court.
Do I Need To Hire A Family Lawyer Near Me To Handle My Child Custody Case?
Technically, you do not need to hire a lawyer to manage your child custody arrangement. However, you may have difficulty filing the correct paperwork with the court. Missing a deadline or inaccurately completing your forms can have serious consequences.
Moreover, you may need to go to court to settle the agreement. The rules of evidence and procedure in a court of law are complicated. Furthermore, once the court issues a ruling, it is legally binding.
Consequently, each party must obey the terms of the agreement.
Why try to muddle through on your own? Hire a family law firm Greensboro NC residents trust, Morgenstern & Associates. With over 40 years of combined family law experience, we’ve helped settle numerous custody agreements.
Is Child Support Tied To Physical Custody?
Since 1975, federal law has required all states to have a system for the establishment of child support. Often, the parent without physical custody must make payments to help with the expenses of raising children. Ultimately, both parents are liable for the support of their children until the age of 18.
Like other aspects of divorce, navigating child support issues can be difficult. Thus, the NC Department of Health and Human Services put together a handbook answering common questions.
What Is Different About Your Firm?
Ending your marriage, settling property disputes, and child custody agreements can cause stress, anxiety, and many other emotions. You need an experienced lawyer who can fight and protect your rights.
When you need a child custody attorney Greensboro NC Bar Association member, choose Morgenstern & Associates. Call us at 336-203-9110 to discuss the particulars of your situation. You’ll find a sympathetic, understanding, and experienced team to help you through this painful time.