Your Child Custody Advocate
Issues involving custody of a child or children are one of the most emotional aspects of family law, whether in the context of a divorce or a paternity action. Assistance from an experienced lawyer can help you focus on a productive approach.
Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation with attorney JoAnn C. Donovan, who will use her 25 years of legal experience to give you quality counsel and representation on child custody and visitation issues.
Concentrating on the Child's Needs
A child custody and visitation dispute can be costly in more ways than one. It can be difficult to prove the facts the court needs to make its decision, and the process can take its toll on family relationships. For this reason, it is important to get a clear sense of your motives and goals at the beginning of the process.
The legal standard for the child custody and visitation decision is the best interests of the child. If your case goes to trial, each side's arguments to the judge must be based on the child's interests.
Outside concerns, such as a desire to punish the other parent or gain an advantage in another aspect of the divorce process such as property division, should not come into a decision that must be focused on the child's needs.
If both sides make a good-faith effort to achieve a compromise that provides the child with care and support from both parents, you should be able to reach a settlement agreement. Of course, if the other parent is not making a good-faith effort, we are fully prepared to protect your children by taking your case to trial.
Contact us to get skilled legal help with child custody and visitation in St. Louis County and St. Charles County.
Including Multiple PerspectivesIn more difficult child support cases, it is not unusual to involve outside experts such as psychologists who can testify as to which arrangement would be in the best interests of the child. The court may also appoint a guardian ad litem, an attorney who is responsible for representing the child as opposed to either parent. |
