Arab, AL Custody Lawyer

Our lead Arab custody lawyer, Christopher Word, has 15+ years of exclusive experience in family law, and is a parent himself. He knows how important this issue is and will do his utmost to protect your parental rights and lead you to a resolution that maintains your presence in your child’s life. 

If you’re ready to learn more about your options and take the next step, call our office today to request a consultation and learn more about how we can help you. 

Alabama Custody At A Glance

In Alabama, there are two main components of custody: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the authority a parent has to make important decisions on behalf of their children regarding their education, religion, healthcare, and more. Physical custody delegates which parent the children will physically reside with the majority of the time. 

Both of these legal responsibilities can be shared jointly or can be allocated solely to one parent. While it is usually considered by Alabama law that it’s in the child’s best interests to have both parents play an active role in their life, sometimes there is evidence to the contrary (such as prior instances of abuse or neglect). 

Our skilled Arab custody lawyer has the experience and knowledge needed to help you reach a resolution that not only keeps your kids safe, but ensures their best interests are prioritized. We can also help you set the terms for visitation, create a holiday schedule, petition for child support, and more. 

How Custody Disputes Are Resolved

Many times, custody agreements are reached through a process called mediation, which is a form of alternative dispute resolution that offers many benefits. In mediation, whether during a divorce or after, involves a neutral third party mediator facilitating discussion between parents that helps them each have the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns, and hopefully, reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Mediation is also typically much cheaper and quicker than litigation. 

Mediation is not appropriate for every situation. Sometimes, there is a history of violence or simply too much existing turmoil for it to be a viable option. In that case, custody disputes are escalated to a judge, who hears both parties’ evidence and arguments, and then makes the final decision based on the child’s best interests. 

The court considers several factors in their decision, such as:

• The child’s relationship with each parent
• Each parent’s ability to provide for the child
• The stability of each parent’s home environment
• Each parent’s physical and mental health
• The child’s wishes (depending on their age and maturity level)
• And more. 

While litigation may not be ideal, you can count on us to fight for you and your kids. Our dedicated Arab custody lawyer will present a strong argument and compelling evidence to the judge, putting you in the best position for securing the results you desire,

Why Choose Our Arab Custody Lawyer

Custody disputes can be, understandably, highly emotional. There may be times while we are working together that those emotions get the best of you, and that’s okay – we’ll be there to bring the focus back on the future. We’ll help you make sound decisions that aren’t borne out of the heat of the moment, but get you as close to achieving your goals as possible. No matter how complex you believe your situation to be, our experienced Arab custody lawyer will be with you each step of the way. Call to book your consultation and take the next steps. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Custody In Arab, AL

Who pays child support in Alabama?

Typically, the non-custodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent. If custody is shared, there is a special formula to determine if child support should be paid from one parent to the other that involves analyzing each parent’s incomes, as well as child care costs, health insurance costs, and other relevant expenses.

What if my co-parent refuses to follow the custody agreement?

If a parent does not follow a court-issued custody agreement, they could be held in contempt of court and face legal repercussions if they don’t correct their behavior. 

Are child custody courts biased against fathers?

No. Courts endeavor to make arrangements that allow children to have fulfilling relationships with both parents regardless of gender.