Top Phenix City, AL Child Custody Lawyers Near You
Child Custody Lawyers | Opelika Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
127 S 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801
Child Custody Lawyers | Auburn Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
225 N Gay St, Auburn, AL 36830
Child Custody Lawyers | Auburn Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
363-A E. Glenn Ave, Auburn, AL 36830
Child Custody Lawyers | Opelika Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
3120 Frederick Road, Suite B, PO Drawer 2268, Opelika, AL 36803
Child Custody Lawyers | Auburn Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
310 Samford Village Court, Suite 200, Auburn, AL 36830
Child Custody Lawyers | Phenix City Office
1323 Broad Street, Suite B, PO Box 3409, Phenix City, AL 36868
Child Custody Lawyers | Phenix City Office
1705 7th Ave., PO Box 2566, Phenix City, AL 36867
Child Custody Lawyers | Phenix City Office
925 Broad Street, PO Box 3220, Phenix City, AL 36868-3220
Child Custody Lawyers | Phenix City Office
1912 Opelika Road, Phenix City, AL 36867
Child Custody Lawyers | Auburn Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
611 E. Glenn Avenue, PO Box 3310, Auburn, AL 36830
Child Custody Lawyers | Opelika Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
709 Ave. A, PO Box 2345, Opelika, AL 36803-2345
Phenix City Child Custody Information
Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In Phenix City
Lead Counsel independently verifies Child Custody attorneys in Phenix City and checks their standing with Alabama bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
Client Commitment Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
Find a Child Custody Attorney near Phenix City
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 Phenix City 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.Best Time to Seek Legal Help
No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.
What to Expect from an Initial Consultation
- Seek to determine whether the attorney can represent you. There is no one-size-fits-all legal solution and it may turn out your needs are better served by an attorney in a different specialization.
- It’s important to find a legal ally who is both competent in the law and someone you can trust to protect your interests.
- Discuss how the practice’s billing works and discuss possible additional charges or fees that may arise during or after the resolution of your case.
An attorney consultation should provide you with enough information so that you can make an informed decision on whether to proceed with legal help.
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.