When a family breaks up, parents must decide how to share custody of their children. Whether you are a parent who has been through the divorce process before, or just recently separated from your spouse, it is important to work with an experienced Child Custody Lawyer to establish a parenting plan that will benefit your child. If you and your spouse are unable to agree on a custody arrangement, you can go through mediation or litigation to determine how to move forward. An attorney can also help you understand your options, as well as the law in Missouri regarding child custody and visitation arrangements.
Whether you are in the beginning stages of filing for divorce or have been in a relationship for some time and need to work out a custody agreement, finding the top Child Custody Lawyers in St. Louis can be difficult, especially if there is animosity between you and your spouse. However, with the help of FindLaw’s directory, you can easily connect with an attorney who can provide you with guidance on your case.
A Child Custody Lawyer can help with a variety of legal matters regarding your children, including physical and legal custody. Physical custody involves where your children will reside, and legal custody involves how you will make decisions about the child’s welfare. You may be awarded sole custody or joint custody, depending on your situation and the judge’s opinion of what is in the best interests of your child. Judges typically favor shared legal custody, where both parents have some input in the child’s life, unless one parent has committed domestic violence or substance abuse or is in prison.
An experienced Missouri family law lawyer can help you draw up a parenting plan and submit it to the court for approval. Your lawyer will have a good understanding of what the judge is likely to approve, and can help you overcome any initial disagreements on the plan. Your lawyer can also provide guidance about your options for custody modification if you need to change your current custody arrangement due to a changing circumstance.
In addition to child custody, an attorney can assist with legal issues regarding alimony and spousal support, property division, temporary restraining orders, name changes, and emancipation. The Hardin Law Firm serves clients in Saint Louis, and offers representation for a range of family-related legal cases. Its attorneys have years of experience representing clients and guiding them through the divorce process.
The Haefner Law Office LLC provides the people of Saint Louis with legal guidance on family-related matters, including divorce, spousal and child support, and paternity actions. It also helps victims of domestic abuse by obtaining protective orders for them. It has an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell. The firm has been in business since 1969. Its team is experienced in handling divorce, child custody, and military service-related issues.