Mansfield Child Custody Attorneys

Divorce is almost always a difficult process. However, ending a marriage can be more stressful for spouses when a child or children are involved. While a couple’s marriage may end, they will always be co-parents. Our Mansfield child custody attorneys know how scary this time can be for parents, and we are ready to help them find cost-effective and long-lasting solutions to their child custody issues. When you call us, our team will listen to your situation and help you decide what steps will best protect your relationship with your child.

The experienced team from Miller Law Group, P.C. is ready to help when you call (888) 874-2142. Your initial consultation with our attorneys is free of charge.

Navigating Child Custody in Mansfield, MA

If your case goes before the court, a local judge will determine your child custody arrangement by prioritizing what they believe to be the most beneficial situation for the child. In some instances, judges decide that only one parent is fit to have custody of a child. In other cases, both parents might receive joint custody of their children. Because the judge's decision is legally-binding, it's vital to present as much evidence in your favor as possible.

Judges in Massachusetts courts consider the following for child custody:

• Which parent is more involved in the child’s daily life
• The age of the children
• Where each parent lives
• The stability of each parent’s household
• What the child wants, if age-appropriate

Every instance is different, and a court might grant sole or joint custody based on the factors listed above. However, what type of custody is not predictable, and a court might make surprising decisions based on the evidence and facts that it has examined. The stronger a case people have, the fewer surprises you will encounter; however, the best way to avoid surprises is to avoid litigation entirely. You, your spouse, and your attorneys can create a parenting plan together out of court, crafting an arrangement that works best for your entire family. Not only does this offer you more control over the outcome, but it's also much faster and more cost-effective as a result.

There are four types of custody, and they could be mixed and matched to fit a child’s needs:

• Sole Legal Custody 
  A parent with sole legal custody has full and complete authority over how their child is raised. Moral or religious upbringing, where the child is educated, and healthcare decisions are all up to the discretion of a single parent.
• Joint Legal Custody 
  When a court grants both parents legal custody, it is acknowledging that both parents should have equal say in how a child is brought up. Joint legal custody requires former spouses to communicate with each other about the raising of their children.
• Sole Physical Custody 
  Sole physical custody means the child lives with only one of their parents. It is typically granted when the other parent is unable to care for their child, provide a safe environment for them, or when they live too far away to share custody. Sole physical custody does allow for parents to have visits with their child if courts consider the parent safe.
• Joint Physical Custody 
  Shared physical custody is great for parents who live near each other and can provide their children with an adequate living situation. Courts like shared legal custody because it provides a child with a chance to live with both parents and experience day-to-day life with them. Recent shared arrangements have allowed children to reside in one home while the parents alternate living in the marital home.

Protect Your Rights as a Parent by Calling (888) 874-2142

As mentioned above, courts make custody decisions depending on what they deem to be the best interest of a child. Importantly, they can only make these decisions based on the evidence presented to them. If a person does not produce a compelling reason for the granting or denial of custody, then they may find themselves with an unfair or undesirable result. Hiring the team at Miller Law Group, P.C. helps to ensure that you'll have someone who represents your interests well.

Our team has the experience your family needs in this difficult time. After countless cases throughout Massachusetts, we are proud to have made a difference in our clients' lives at the negotiation table or in the courtroom. Every member of our team is dedicated to family law, and they meet each week to discuss cases and share their insights for the benefit of our clients. When we take a case, we approach it from every angle to ensure each case is thoroughly set up for success. Call us today to find out how we will begin protecting your rights as a parent.

A member of our team is ready to talk at (888) 874-2142. Call us today to begin planning for your future.