Divorce and family law disputes often involve having to determine matters of child custody. The standard is “in the best interest of the child.” However, this is often a debated issue. Who gets to decide what’s in the child’s best interest? The physical and emotional well-being of the child is a top priority. It is crucial to take into consideration the living conditions and circumstances of each parent’s home and work situation so that the child will have adequate supervision. For these reasons and more, it is important to hire a qualified and experienced law firm who can help you with your case. There are numerous factors that should be considered, and the details will matter.
At Law Office of Andrew A. Bestafka, Esq., we represent clients like you every day. Your children matter, and we want to help you protect them. We understand the trying times that you are going through, and we are here to be your guide through the legal process. We know what it takes to get your case resolved, and we know your family needs compassion, and your case needs diligence. Child custody issues can be overwhelming, and we are here to help you make things a little more bearable. Call Law Office of Andrew A. Bestafka, Esq. at (732) 898-2378 today to discuss your case with us.
Do I Need a Child Custody Lawyer?
The answer is yes. It can be difficult to think clearly when so many changes are occurring all at once. Child custody issues can be complicated due to the number of factors that must be considered when determining custody and visitation. Your child or children are the most important people in your life, and you would do anything to protect them. At Law Office of Andrew A. Bestafka, Esq., we understand this, and we feel the same way. Having an attorney be your advocate in this difficult situation can make all the difference in getting the results you are hoping for.
Depending on your specific case, you may be looking at several different options for resolving your custody issue. Having an experienced family law attorney can help you determine which options are best for your situation. You should hire an attorney who will sit down with you to go through the specifics of your case and outline the best plan of action to get the results you want. Your child is everything, and having the right lawyer can enable you to work through any legal issue that may arise in your case.
We work one-on-one with our clients to make sure that we have all the facts of their case. The details matter, and we work diligently to build your case so that your children are safe and cared for. By hiring Law Office of Andrew A. Bestafka, Esq., you ensure that you are not alone in advocating for your child. The court must have all the available facts to allow them to make the decision that your child stays with you. Call us today at (732) 898-2378 to schedule your consultation.
What Are the Types of Child Custody?
Every situation is fact-specific, and your case will be no different. The court’s position will always be that what they seek is what’s in the best interest of the kids. Having the right attorney can help the court sort through the issues and get to the facts that paint the best picture of your situation. Child custody is determined on those facts, and there are several options the court may select.
Sole Custody. One parent gets custody. This type of custody may be legal custody, physical custody, or both. Occasionally, if drugs or alcohol are involved, and the court deems one parent to be unfit due to neglect or abuse, sole custody will be awarded to the other parent to protect the child.
Joint Custody. Parents share custody of the child. This type of arrangement may be shared physical custody, shared legal custody, or one parent may have primary physical possession, and the other parent may have primary legal custody. Generally, this occurs when the parents get along well enough to make this an amicable situation for the child and parents.
What Do I Need to Know About Child Custody Agreements?
Child custody agreements should be handled with the utmost care and consideration. Children are not property and should not be treated as if they were. You don’t just divide up time or money and call it a day. Custody matters are fact-specific situations that should be discussed between you and your attorney so they can draft the appropriate document to present in court that covers all possible scenarios.
Visitation rights should be clearly defined within the child custody agreement. There should be times and days for pick up and drop off, as well as a set meeting location. The visitation time is just as important as child support. The parents are required to abide by the custody agreement and not to withhold parenting time from the non-custodial parent. It is important to make sure the child’s emotional and economic needs are being met. This is accomplished through parenting time and child support.
Grandparents may also be allowed to ask the court for scheduled visitation. Again, this situation will be fact-specific for each case and may be determined based upon the child’s existing relationship with the grandparents seeking visitation. If the court determines that grandparent visitation would be in the child’s best interest, the court may allow it and enter this language into the custody agreement.
Everything about your child’s life and activities should be reviewed with your attorney in order to make sure you are doing everything needed to have a successful outcome in your custody case. Your attorney should do a thorough case review and work with you to develop a plan that accomplishes the goals you are trying to achieve with the custody agreement. If you need help, call our office today at (732) 898-2378 to schedule your consultation.
Do I Still Need to Hire an Attorney If Both Parents Agree on All Terms?
While it may appear that both parents agree on all terms of a child custody agreement, there is a high probability that an issue will eventually arise, and a dispute will occur. Of course, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to work it out, but it may be more difficult, and you may end up giving in to something you’d rather not, which could cause additional conflict. Based on our years of experience, it is usually a smart decision to hire your own legal representative.
Having someone advocating for your legal rights is never a bad thing. Having representation enables you to fully understand all that is occurring in the legal process because you have someone on your side, helping you understand legal consequences you may not have recognized. Once you sign off on a child custody agreement, you are bound to follow the terms as they are stated within the agreement. As your law firm, Law Office of Andrew A. Bestafka, Esq. is here to help you in the process so that you are able to make the best decisions for you and your child(ren).
How Long Should My Child Custody Case Take?
How long your case will take depends upon the circumstances of your situation. The idea is to resolve your case as quickly as possible. However, we work hard to thoroughly develop your case so that there are no surprises along the way. We take our job seriously. We want to make sure your child will be in a stable and loving home environment with the parent that can provide that for them.
Determining what type of custody agreement we mutually pursue can affect the timing of your case, as well. And, of course, the timing of your case depends on the caseload of the court system. We will certainly do all we can to keep things moving along. We have a wonderful working relationship with our local judicial system, so that helps us keep your case moving.
Why You Should Hire Law Office of Andrew A. Bestafka, Esq.
There are a ton of attorneys and law firms. But at Law Office of Andrew A. Bestafka, Esq., you get not only an attorney but a partner in your case. A family law issue like child custody is a nerve-wracking experience. We understand what you are going through, and we want to see your case have a successful outcome: that is, your child is in a home where they are loved and well-cared-for.
Our firm has been recognized as one of the 10 Best Firms in client satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. Our team cares about our clients and the outcomes we deliver. We are professional and experienced at cases just like yours. You can breathe easy knowing you are in capable hands. Every client deserves quality legal representation, and we take great pride in working with our clients.
If you need an attorney for a child custody case, call Law Office of Andrew A. Bestafka, Esq. today at (732) 898-2378 to schedule a case review. We would be honored to work with you, and your child’s well-being will be our priority.