Experienced Child Custody Lawyer Serving Clients in New Haven, IN

Concerns about child custody in New Haven, IN can be daunting, especially when you are anticipating that your case with become contentious. While it is never easy to go through a divorce and to grow accustomed to a child custody arrangement, you should know that an experienced child custody lawyer in New Haven can help with your case.

Whether you are thinking about filing for divorce or are separating from your child’s other parent, the laws surrounding child custody can get quite complicated. It is important to have legal counsel on your side throughout this difficult and often frustrating time.

Who is Awarded Child Custody in a New Haven, IN Divorce?

In New Haven, IN, Indiana Code § 31-17 governs custody and visitation rights. When drafting a child custody order, the court will take into account some of the following relevant factors, according to the statute:

•      Child’s age and sex;
•      Child’s wishes;
•      Parent or Parents’ wishes;
•      When the child is at least 14 years old, additional consideration of the child’s wishes;
•      Current relationship between the child and the parents;
•      Current relationship between the child and any other siblings;
•      Child’s adjustment to his or her home, school, and community;
•      Mental and physical health of the parties; and
•      Any evidence of domestic abuse or family violence.

When the court makes a decision about child custody, it can award joint legal custody to both parents while awarding sole physical custody to just one of the parents. Legal custody refers to the responsibility of the parent to make important decisions about the child’s well-being, such as where the child goes to school, what kind of education the child receives, whether the child receives religious instruction, and what kinds of healthcare the child receives. Physical custody, differently, refers to where the child’s primary home will be.

Just because one parent has been awarded physical custody and is listed as the custodian does not mean that the other parent will not see the child. The court will also draft a visitation, or parenting time, order that specifies time-sharing responsibilities for the child.

What Can You Do if You Are Not Satisfied With Your Child Custody Order?

In the event that you are displeased with the court’s child custody order, you have the option to modify it at a later date. The law makes clear that the court can modify a child custody order when it is in the best interests of the child and there has been a substantial change in circumstances.

Discuss Your Case with a Dedicated New Haven Child Custody Attorney

Do you need experienced legal counsel to advocate for your rights during a child custody hearing? Or, do you already have a child custody order in place that you are not happy with and are hoping to modify? No matter what your situation might be, a dedicated New Haven child custody attorney can examine the facts of your case today and can discuss your options for moving forward. Our firm is committed to helping families in New Haven with a wide variety of child custody matters, and we can answer your questions today. Contact The Bellinger Law Office to learn more about how we can assist you.