Putting Your Children First
Making sure that your children are safe and that they have what they need is the first priority for most parents. We understand how important our clients’ children are to them. We help them protect their children through divorce, child custody and child support issues.
With Rosalyn W. Otieno, Attorney at Law, clients receive the benefit of an experienced and zealous advocate.
Factors Surrounding Child Custody
The court considers many factors in child custody arrangements, but they are primarily based on the best interests of the child and rights of each parent. In some cases, paternity testing (DNA testing) may be necessary to establish the rights of the parties in child custody.
A custody arrangement may include both:
- Legal custody, which gives a parent the right to make major life decisions for the child regarding health care, religion, education and more. Typically, both parents have legal custody and both will continue to play an active part in raising their children.
- Physical custody, which refers to where the child will spend most of his or her time. This type of plan may also determine what visitation rights each parent has with the child.
What You Should Know About Parenting Plan Modifications And Enforcement
Even if the original order regarding child custody, child support and visitation was fair, circumstances may change. As a result, a child custody or child support agreement may need modification. If you or your co-parent has lost a job or need to relocate, the existing orders may no longer be appropriate. Child custody and child support agreements can be modified if the child’s needs have changed significantly or the income of one or both parents has changed.
If the custodial parent refuses to grant visitation rights or stops paying child support, the other parent may bring an enforcement action. These disputes can be highly contentious when parents cannot come to an agreement. We can help resolve these disputes.
Whatever your goals regarding child custody plans, we can work with you to make sure that you receive the best possible outcome for your child.
Contact our family law office or call 301-358-3797.
* Fee applies for initial consultation