Top Grayson Valley, AL Child Custody Lawyers Near You
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Delisa Michelle Chasteen, Attorney at Law
Child Custody Lawyers | Shelby Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
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Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker LLP
Child Custody Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
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Jeremy P. Summers, Attorney at Law
Child Custody Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
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Sandi Eubank Gregory, Attorney at Law, LLC
Child Custody Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
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Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
Child Custody Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
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Law Office of Bradley James Latta
Child Custody Lawyers | Hoover Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
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Hunter Law Firm, PC
Child Custody Lawyers | Bessemer Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
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Caulder & Gray
Child Custody Lawyers | Vestavia Hills Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
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Phillip Bahakel & Associates
Child Custody Lawyers | Pelham Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
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The Law Office of Meredith Woods Markham, LLC
Child Custody Lawyers | Bessemer Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
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J. Hardy Family Law
Child Custody Lawyers | Birmingham Office | Serving Grayson Valley, AL
Grayson Valley Child Custody Information
Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In Grayson Valley
Lead Counsel independently verifies Child Custody attorneys in Grayson Valley by conferring with Alabama bar associations and conducting annual reviews to confirm that an attorney practices in their advertised practice areas and possesses a valid bar license for the appropriate jurisdictions.
Find a Child Custody Attorney near Grayson Valley
Are You Trying to Get Custody of a Child?
Achieving custody of a child can be a highly emotional battle between parents. Add to that a number of legal issues courts weigh to award custody and child custody cases can become daunting. This area of law significantly impacts the child’s present well being and future.
Legal Issues in Child Custody
In determining who gets custody, courts consider what is in the “best interest” of the child, which is a broad term that does not have a fixed standard and can take into account a number of considerations. Child custody law is complex, so to get the best result obtaining the services of a qualified Grayson Valley attorney who practices child custody law is imperative.
What do judges look for in custody cases?
In every state, family court judges must consider what is in the child’s best interests when determining custody. In most cases, judges emphasize making sure the child will spend ample time with both parents. To make this happen, a judge will likely want to know what each parent’s home environment is like, whether each parent will be able to give a child the proper attention, and which situation the child will be most likely to thrive in.Who has legal custody of the child when the parents aren’t married?
If the parents are not married, the child’s biological parents both have parental rights unless the law says otherwise. An exception to this could be if no father is listed on the child’s birth certificate. In that case, the father would have to go through the legal process of establishing paternity to be able to assert his parental rights for visitation.How can a mother lose custody of her child?
A mother can lose custody of her child in much the same way a father could. This could include abusing the child, abusing drugs or alcohol, providing an unsafe home environment for the child, or abandoning the child.How can you change a child custody order?
If you or your ex are unhappy with the current custody arrangement, you can negotiate a change to your agreement. If a judge feels that the changes are still in the child’s best interests, then they may approve the order. If one of you is pressing ahead with seeking a change and the other parent is contesting it, you will need to prove a “substantial” change in circumstances. This could include one of the parents moving out of state, suffering from a disability or illness that affects their parenting ability, exposing the child to an unsafe environment, or having a change in work circumstances that requires rescheduling of visitation.Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney
- How many years have you been practicing law? How long have you practiced law in the local area?
- How many cases similar to mine have you handled in the past?
- What is the likely outcome for my case?
In legal practice, experience matters. An experienced attorney will likely have handled issues similar to yours many, many times. Therefore, after listening to your situation, the attorney should have a reasonable idea of the time line for a case like yours and the likely resolution.
How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation
Prepare for your consultation by writing down notes of your understanding of the case, jot down questions and concerns for the attorney, and gather your documents. Remember that you are trying to get a sense of whether the attorney has your trust and can help you address your legal issues. Questions should include how the attorney intends to resolve your issue, how many years he/she has been practicing law and specifically practicing in your area, as well as how many cases similar to yours the attorney has handled. It can also be helpful to broach the subject of fees so that you understand the likely cost and structure of your representation by a specific attorney and/or legal team.
Tips on Hiring an Experienced Lawyer with Child Custody Cases
The more experienced a lawyer is in legal practice, the more likely he/she will be able to bring about a successful resolution to your issue. Since experience matters, lawyers who’ve been practicing law for many years (with a successful track record) tend to be in high demand. You should look for information about a lawyer’s experience and ask questions during the initial meeting. It’s a very good idea to ask the lawyer how many years he/she has been practicing law and the expected outcome of your case.
Common legal terms explained
Plaintiff – a person or party who brings a lawsuit against another person(s) or party/parties in a court of law. Private persons or parties can only file suit in civil court.
Judgment – A decision of the court. Also known as a decree or order. Judgments handed down by the court are usually binding on the parties before the court.