Child Custody

Child custody is one of the most sensitive and critically important aspects of family law, profoundly impacting the lives of parents and, most importantly, children. When parents separate or divorce, decisions must be made regarding where children will live, who will make significant decisions about their upbringing, and how each parent will maintain a meaningful relationship with them. At the Law Office of Lawrence Keitt, we approach child custody cases with the utmost care, prioritizing the child’s best interests while vigorously advocating for our clients’ parental rights and concerns. Our goal is to achieve stable, supportive, and enforceable custody arrangements that promote the well-being and development of the children involved.

Child custody generally comprises two main components: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to a parent’s right and responsibility to make important decisions about a child’s upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religious instruction. Legal custody can be awarded solely to one parent (sole legal custody) or, more commonly, shared by both parents (joint legal custody). Joint legal custody is often favored by courts as it encourages both parents to be actively involved in significant decisions concerning their children. Physical custody, on the other hand, determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis. This can also be sole (the child lives primarily with one parent) or joint (the child spends significant time with both parents, often on a near 50/50 schedule). The specific arrangement of physical custody is detailed in a parenting plan or visitation schedule.

The central principle guiding all child custody decisions in court is the “best interests of the child.” This is a broad legal standard that allows judges to consider a wide range of factors unique to each family’s situation. These factors often include: the child’s age and health, emotional ties between the child and each parent, each parent’s ability to provide love, affection, and guidance, the child’s preference (if mature enough to express a reasoned opinion), each parent’s capacity to provide for the child’s basic needs (food, clothing, shelter), the child’s ties to school, home, and community, and each parent’s willingness to foster a positive relationship between the child and the other parent. No single factor is usually determinative; rather, the court weighs all relevant circumstances to reach a decision that it believes will foster the child’s stability and growth. Understanding how these factors apply to your specific case is crucial for effective advocacy.

Crafting a comprehensive and effective parenting plan is a cornerstone of child custody cases. A well-designed parenting plan goes beyond simply outlining where the child will live. It addresses specific visitation schedules (regular weekdays, weekends, holidays, vacations), transportation arrangements, decision-making processes, methods of communication between parents, rules for introducing new partners, and how future disputes will be resolved. A clear and detailed plan helps minimize misunderstandings and future conflicts, providing stability and predictability for the children. When parents can agree on such a plan through negotiation or mediation, it often leads to more durable and satisfying outcomes. Our firm helps facilitate these agreements and formalize them into court orders.

Child custody matters are rarely static. As children grow and circumstances change, modifications to custody orders may become necessary. A common reason for seeking a modification is a significant change in circumstances, such as a parent’s relocation (often referred to as a move-away), a change in work schedules, or a child’s evolving needs (e.g., special educational requirements). Obtaining a modification requires demonstrating to the court that such a change warrants an alteration of the existing order and that the proposed change is in the child’s best interests. This often involves filing a “Request for Order” and presenting compelling evidence to the court. Our firm also assists in enforcing existing orders when one parent fails to comply with the established parenting plan.

At the Law Office of Lawrence Keitt, we understand the emotional weight carried by child custody disputes. Lawrence Keitt provides compassionate yet aggressive representation, helping clients navigate through complex legal processes. He works diligently to protect parental rights while always advocating for arrangements that foster the child’s stability and well-being. Whether you are establishing initial custody orders, seeking to modify an existing order, or responding to a custody petition, Lawrence Keitt will guide you through negotiations, mediation, or, if necessary, fiercely represent your interests in court. His aim is to achieve clear, enforceable custody orders that allow both parents to actively participate in their children’s lives and ensure a stable future for the entire family, prioritizing the enduring welfare of the children.