A: A parent can change a child custody order in Louisiana by proving to the court that they have had a meaningful change in life circumstances since the agreement was drafted. The parent trying to change the order has to file a petition with the court with this evidence. Common reasons for a change include a change in income, a change in the child’s needs, or if a parent relocates or is no longer able to care for the child in the same way.
Baton Rouge Child Custody Lawyer
Baton Rouge Child Custody Attorney
It’s important to have a third party to help you during such an emotional time as a child custody dispute. Negotiating a child custody order can be challenging and complicated, and it can have significant consequences. To make sure your parental rights are protected during this process, consider working with a Baton Rouge child custody lawyer. They can increase the odds of a positive outcome during such a high-stakes situation.
Top-Tier Legal Representation
Something as important as child custody is not something to leave up to chance. That’s why the attorneys at Longman Jakuback handle each child custody case they receive with professionalism and care. We are dedicated to being straightforward and transparent about your situation so that you can decide on what’s appropriate for your family. Our team prides itself on communicating frequently with clients to always keep their clients updated.
What Determines Child Custody?
The most important part of child custody is to ensure that the children involved in a divorce are able to live a stable life after the divorce is finalized. This means that the courts are focused on the health, safety, and well-being of the child when determining custody. They tend to take several things into account, like:
- Needs of the Child: Every child is different and has different relationships with each parent. The court evaluates each parent’s ability to love and care for the child. They also consider how easy or difficult it would be for a child to adjust to a new environment because that has a large impact on a child’s well-being.
- Fitness of Each Parent: A parent with custody of their child must be physically and mentally capable of making decisions for them. If there is a history of addiction, mental or physical illness or disability, abuse, domestic violence, or a criminal record, then these elements might be considered in the final decision. The main goal is to assess a parent’s stability so that they might provide a supportive home environment.
- Child’s Unique Preferences: If the child is considered old enough to make decisions about their living situation, then their preferences might be taken into account. This factor is usually not as important as the stability and fitness of each parent, but it is sometimes taken into consideration.
- Consistency: The ability to be consistent and provide a routine for the child is also considered when determining custody. If a child is already integrated into a school or local community, then the court might conclude that the child is better off staying a member of their existing community.
- Willingness of Each Parent: In order to have custody of a child, each parent must be willing to develop a relationship with them and maintain a decent relationship with the other parent. If parents are able to communicate and work together, this can work in their favor when determining a final child custody order.
Both parents may have custody of their child so that the child is able to keep interacting with both of their parents. However, if a family’s circumstances do not allow for this to happen, sole custody might be awarded to one parent.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
Professional guidance for your child custody case can be very important. A family law attorney understands the complicated rules and regulations surrounding Louisiana child custody law and can help you present a strong case for custody to the court.
Child custody cases can involve intense issues like abuse allegations. In these scenarios, an experienced Baton Rouge Child Custody Lawyer can be an objective partner to help you make decisions by removing the emotional component of such a challenging situation. If possible, they might be able to help resolve the situation through negotiation or mediation instead of going to court. This normally results in lower costs and less stress for all parties involved in a child custody case.
FAQs
Q: What Is the Difference Between Legal Custody and Physical Custody?
A: The difference between legal custody and physical custody depends on the level of involvement each parent has with the child. If a parent has legal custody, then they are allowed to make decisions on how the child is raised, where they go to school, and other important elements of their living situation. If the parent has physical custody, then they have the ability to directly care for the child. It is possible for parents to have only one form or both forms of custody.
Q: How Does Joint Child Custody Work?
A: Joint child custody means that both parents share the responsibility of taking care of their child, and both of them have the right to influence their upbringing. In some cases, a child lives with one parent while both parents have legal custody. In other situations, a child spends time living with each parent. The goal of joint custody is for the child to be able to maintain a relationship with both of their parents after a divorce.
Q: How Do the Child’s Preferences Impact Child Custody Decisions?
A: A child’s preferences can sometimes impact child custody decisions. depending on the situation. The court sometimes considers their preferences if the child is deemed to be mature enough to make an educated choice. However, this is not the only factor considered, and many other criteria are taken into account when determining custody. The court aims to support the child’s needs in the most effective way possible, regardless of the child’s preferences.
Learn More About Your Situation
You deserve a reliable and assertive attorney to work for you in a child custody case. Schedule a consultation with Longman Jakuback at Baton Rouge, LA today to create a strategy to resolve your family’s legal issues. We focus on handling your case with care so that you can address other important issues that come alongside the child custody process.
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Baton Rouge, LA 70802
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