Norwood Child Custody Lawyer

Norwood Child Custody & Visitation Attorney

One of the most difficult legal issues any parent can experience is a child custody determination. Whether you are a married parent divorcing or an unmarried parent and need to solidify custody of your child with your co-parent, the legal process of establishing child custody rights in Massachusetts can be daunting and emotionally stressful. A Norwood child custody lawyer can be an invaluable asset, no matter what your case entails.

Child Custody Case Representation in Norwood, MA

The team at Farias Family Law, P.C., offers compassionate legal representation for your impending family court proceedings regarding child custody. We offer a client-focused approach to family law counsel, taking time to address each client’s individual needs and doing everything we can to turn the negative feelings you may have about your forthcoming case into a positive experience for you and your children.

We know that no two cases are exactly alike, so we take time to learn as much as possible about every new client we represent, helping them identify the greatest challenges and most important opportunities they face as their cases unfold. When you choose our firm to represent you in a child custody determination, you can expect responsive communication with our team and close attention to detail throughout every phase of your case.

How is Child Custody Determined?

One of the hardest things to accept about any child custody determination in Norwood is the fact that no matter how good a parent you believe yourself to be and how strong of a case for custody you think you can make, the final determination regarding custody rights of your child comes down to the discretion of the family court judge handling your case. The primary standard a judge will use to settle a custody case is the best interests of the child.

The family court has a duty to always rule in favor of a child’s interests in any case that affects that child. This means that the judge handling your impending custody determination will want to examine various factors concerning your and your co-parent’s respective suitability to handle custody rights.

A few of the factors a judge will consider when making a child custody determination in Norwood include:

• The child’s age, development, and health.
• Any unique needs the child may have, including educational, social, developmental, physical, etc.
• Each parent’s work schedule and availability to handle their child’s day-to-day needs.

• The intended residence for the child means the judge will need to verify that any parent aiming for custody will have a safe place for the child to live.
• Proximity of a parent’s living arrangements to extended relatives such as grandparents, the child’s school, and the child’s doctor.
• Impressions regarding the motivations of the parents. A judge is more likely to grant custody to a parent who demonstrates sincere concern for their child’s well-being over a parent seeking custody out of spite.
• The proposed childcare plans of each parent. The judge will want to hear each parent’s parenting philosophy, goals for their child, and how they intend to manage their household if granted custody.
• Each parent’s respective criminal history. A judge is unlikely to grant extensive custody rights to any parent with a history of violent felonies, drug addiction, or domestic violence of any kind.
• The child’s preferences and bond with their parents, if they are old enough to convey their preferences to the judge.

Ultimately, every child custody determination is unique, and every family has different interpersonal dynamics that may be closely scrutinized in a child custody determination. While you may believe that you can make convincing arguments on your own and are capable of presenting a strong case for the custody rights you intend to secure, there is no guarantee the judge will see things your way.

Elements of a Custody Order in Norwood

It’s important to remember that a custody order will include terms for two types of custody. Legal custody is the ability to make important decisions for a child regarding medical treatment, education, and more. Physical custody pertains to residence and where the child will spend their time. It’s possible for parents to have equal legal custody, requiring them to collaborate and agree on important decisions for their child, but they may have an unequal split of physical custody.

Co-parents with a custody order may divide parenting time based on their work schedules, and a family court judge will need to determine what type of schedule would be most suitable for the child’s individual interests. Joint custody orders typically entail a rotating schedule where the children spend time with one parent for a certain amount of time and then switch to the other parent.

Modifying a Custody Order

After finalizing a custody order in Norwood, remember that it is possible to request reasonable changes to the order as your circumstances dictate. The family court system acknowledges that life can be unpredictable, and the current terms of your custody order could prove to be untenable in the future due to forces beyond your control. If you need to request a modification to your custody order, it’s vital to seek an attorney’s help to prepare you for these proceedings.

What to Expect From Your Norwood Child Custody Lawyer

When you have Farias Family Law, P.C., representing your case, you can expect close attention to detail through all phases of your proceedings. We’ll listen to your needs and expectations and help gather all the documentation you may need to produce to provide to the court. Whether you are facing a divorce case involving child custody or a standalone child custody determination, you can rely on our firm for guidance and support through all phases of the case.

A child custody determination can be emotionally stressful and unpredictable. When you have the right attorney on your side, you can approach the situation with confidence and peace of mind. The team at Farias Family Law, P.C., can provide comprehensive and compassionate legal counsel when you need it most, so contact our firm today to schedule a case review and learn how we can assist you with your custody case in Norwood.