Top Hartford, SD Child Custody Lawyers Near You
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McClure & Hardy, Prof. LLC
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Hovland, Rasmus, Brendtro, and Trzynka, Prof. LLC
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Ballard Spahr LLP
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Nicholson, Tschetter, Adams & Nicholson
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Nichols & Rabuck, P.C.
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Harris Law & Co.
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Strange, Farrell, Johnson & Brewers PC
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Cutler Law Firm, LLP
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Boyce Law Firm, L.L.P.
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Kading, Kunstle & Goodhope, LLP
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Swier Law Firm, Prof. LLC
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
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Bangs McCullen Law Firm LLP
Child Custody Lawyers | Sioux Falls Office | Serving Hartford, SD
Hartford Child Custody Information
Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In Hartford
Lead Counsel independently verifies Child Custody attorneys in Hartford by conferring with South Dakota 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.
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 Hartford 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.What sort of issues can I seek legal help with?
Specialized legal help is available for most legal issues. Each case is unique; seeking legal help is a smart first step toward understanding your legal situation and seeking the best path toward resolution for your case. An experienced lawyer understands the local laws surrounding your case and what your best legal options might be. More importantly, there are certain situations and circumstances – such as being charged with a crime – where you should always seek experienced legal help.
The Importance of a Good Consultation
The goal of an initial consultation is to find an attorney you are comfortable working with and someone who can help you understand your options under the law. Seek to understand the relevant legal experience the attorney brings to your case. While it is not realistic to expect an attorney to resolve your legal issue during an initial consultation, you should gain a level of comfort with his/her ability to do so. A good consultation can clarify issues, raise pertinent questions and considerations for your case, and help you make an informed decision towards resolving your legal issue.
How to Find the Right Attorney
- Determine the area of law that relates to your issue. Attorneys specialize in specific practice areas around legal issues within the broad field of law.
- Seek out recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. A successful attorney or practice will typically have many satisfied clients.
- Set up consultation appointments to get a better understanding of your case as well as gauge your comfort level with different attorneys. Find the attorney who is the right fit for your needs.
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.