FAMILY LAW
Child Custody
CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION
In evaluating your child custody case, I will meet with you at length to make sure that you thoroughly understand that it is the best interest of the child standard that ranks first and foremost to the Judge and hopefully to you as a client. My job as your attorney in your custody or visitation case is to convince the judge that what you want is also in the child’s best interest in both the short and long run.
There are many factors that are included in a court's decision to award custody but most importantly, the Court will do its best to promote the emotional and financial stability in a child's life.
Custody Factors and Standards
I will give you a list of the key standards that courts use to analyze custody cases and ask you to take it home and write down all of the evidence and supporting arguments that can either hurt or help your case. Afterwards, we meet again to review the list and I give you my honest opinion of how I think a Court may rule and your chances of prevailing in a custody trial.
In evaluating the unique facts that are relevant to your custody case, you and I will formulate a plan that we are comfortable with and that gives you the best and worst possible scenarios and all points in between, before we decide on whether to make or accept a settlement offer or to present your case to the Judge.
What we have learned over the years in practicing family law is that above all, judges do not want to disrupt a child’s routine if he or she is functioning well in school and in the community. Whether you are going through a divorce or ending a relationship where custody is at issue, we urge you to remain in the same school district or live in a nearby community as the child, so that you will be on a level playing field with the other party. Although this is not always possible, it keeps you on a level playing field as the the other parent.
It is also important to show the court that you are willing to foster and encourage a positive relationship between the child and the other parent and that you have the financial means and psychological stability to care for your child.
I help you choose a cost-effective and practical strategy for ending your marriage in the least stressful way possible so that you can move forward with confidence and ease.
Don’t stress about your divorce or custody case. Call Susan: (228) 574-6201
Serving Gulfport, MS and the Mississippi Gulf Coast